More signs that North Korea is preparing to welcome the Russian President, the event will take place at the Paekhwawon State Guesthouse

On June 14, US media reported the results of satellite image analysis by private satellite company Planet Labs (US) taken on June 13, showing a new red object appearing around the area near the car entrance of the Paekhwawon State Guest House in the capital Pyongyang, North Korea.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visit the Vostochny Сosmodrome in Russia's Far East Amur region, September 13, 2023. (Source: Sputnik)

The red object is believed to be a decoration for the reception of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to visit North Korea in the coming days.

Previously, private satellite images also showed a large construction structure appearing in Kim Il Sung Square.

The Paekhwawon State Guest House has been used as a resting place by former South Korean presidents when they visited Pyongyang, such as Kim Dae-jung (2000), Roh Moo-hyun (2006) and Moon Jae-in (2018). In addition, former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and former US President Bill Clinton also stayed here, in 2002 and 2009, respectively. This is also the place where the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit took place.

However, the most recent foreign leaders to visit Pyongyang were Chinese President Xi Jinping during his 2019 visit to North Korea, who was accommodated at the newly built Kumsusan State Guesthouse near the Palace of the Sun. Observers believe that the Paekhwawon State Guesthouse will likely be used as the venue for official events, while President Putin will stay at the Kumsusan State Guesthouse.

Earlier, on June 12, Japan's National Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) quoted a number of diplomatic sources, including senior Russian government officials, as saying that Moscow and Pyongyang were discussing a plan for Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit North Korea early next week. Russian media also reported on June 10 that Mr. Putin is expected to visit North Korea in the next few weeks or possibly this month.

On the same day, June 12, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed hope that he and Russian President Putin would continue to develop close ties and further consolidate the “eternal milestone” in the relationship between the two countries. In his congratulatory message on Russia’s national day, the North Korean leader emphasized that the relationship between the two countries has developed into an “unbreakable comradeship” and a solid strategic relationship following the Russia-North Korea summit in September 2023.

The North Korean leader's remarks came amid growing speculation that Putin could visit Pyongyang as early as June.

Russian daily Vedomosti also reported earlier this week that Putin is expected to make a trip to North Korea as early as this month. If it materializes, it would be Putin's first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years.

The Kremlin said earlier that Mr Putin had accepted Mr Kim's invitation to visit North Korea.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/them-dau-hieu-trieu-tien-chuan-bi-don-tiep-tong-thong-nga-su-kien-se-dien-ra-tai-nha-khach-quoc-gia-paekhwawon-275087.html