North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to visit Vladivostok, a central city in the Russian Far East, as early as Saturday to view the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet.
Kim has been visiting the region. He held a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday at the Vostochny Spaceport.
On Friday, Kim visited the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, which is located in the Khabarovsk region. He inspected facilities that manufacture Sukhoi fighter jets and other aircraft. He was accompanied by North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and top military commanders. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who also serves as minister of industry and trade, guided them.
After leaving the city, Kim is believed to be traveling south on a special train.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu may accompany Kim when he inspects the Pacific Fleet and discuss possible military cooperation between their countries.
Meanwhile, Putin met his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in the southern Russian city of Sochi on Friday. The two neighboring countries are allies. Putin stressed his intention to strengthen unity with countries that oppose the United States and European nations.
When asked by a reporter about cooperation with North Korea, Putin said Russia will look for opportunities to develop bilateral relations.