North Korean Foreign Minister Visits Russia Amid Troop Deployment.

Moscow: North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui has departed for Russia for an official visit, according to North Korea's state media. This visit coincides with reports from the United States indicating that North Korea has dispatched approximately 10,000 soldiers to eastern Russia for training purposes. According to Yonhap News Agency, Choe's visit to Russia is anticipated to involve discussions regarding a potential visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Moscow, as military ties between the two nations deepen. Choe left Pyongyang International Airport on Monday, accompanied by Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong-gyu and Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora, who were present to see her off. The Russian Embassy in North Korea announced on its Facebook account that Choe's visit is part of a "strategic dialogue" agreed upon by the leaders of both countries. This announcement follows confirmation from the chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that North Korean troops have been dep loyed to Russia's western front-line Kursk region, possibly to support Russian forces in the future. There is speculation that Choe's visit may include talks with Russian officials to arrange a potential visit by Kim Jong-un to Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Hyun Seung-soo, deputy director of the Korea Institute for National Unification, indicated that discussions might involve a joint response strategy following the U.S. presidential election and planning for Kim's visit to Russia, which could occur as early as next year. North Korea and Russia have been strengthening their military and other cooperative efforts, with Kim and Putin holding summit talks in June in Pyongyang and signing a new partnership treaty that includes a mutual defense clause. Choe last visited Russia in September and had previously traveled to Moscow in January for a meeting with Putin.