N.Korean leader expected to wrap up Russian Far East tour as early as Sunday

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has toured military sites in Russia's Far East and is expected to head home as early as Sunday.

On Saturday, Kim visited an airport located in the outskirts of Vladivostok. He was welcomed by Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu.

The North Korean leader reportedly inspected a Tupolev-95 and other long-range strategic bombers, which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Kim later inspected the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok. Aboard a frigate, he is said to have received briefings on the Kalibr cruise missile and other weapons.

In the evening, Kim watched a performance of the ballet "Sleeping Beauty," according to the regional governor, who accompanied him.

Kim's visit to the Far East began on Tuesday. He held a summit with President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny space center on Wednesday. His tour of the military sites suggests that North Korea and Russia are reaching out to each other to try to forge closer military ties.

A former Russian diplomat stationed in Pyongyang told NHK that the summit between Kim and Putin will likely lead to cooperation on military technology behind the scenes.

Alexander Zhebin, who now belongs to the Russian Academy of Sciences, said various constraints and possibilities would have to be taken into account, in order for such a collaboration to occur.

Kim is expected to hold talks with regional officials before he heads back to North Korea on a special train. He could depart as early as Sunday.