A close aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has headed back to Pyongyang after a trip to Russia amid speculation that Kim could visit Moscow soon for his first summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a source said.

Kim Chang-son, known as leader Kim's de facto chief of staff, arrived in Moscow on March 19, by way of Beijing, for a five-day stay in Russia. He stayed there before traveling to Vladivostok in the country's far east on Sunday.



"The delegation, led by Kim Chang-son, headed to Pyongyang (on Monday) on an Air Koryo flight from Vladivostok," the source said on condition of anonymity.

His detailed itinerary in Moscow and Vladivostok was not disclosed. He is said to have met with Russian officials handling administrative affairs in Moscow on several occasions.

His trip to Russia came amid growing speculation that Kim Jong-un might be preparing to visit the neighboring country for his first-ever summit with Putin. His visit to Vladivostok also raises speculation that the city could be a possible summit venue.

Ahead of leader Kim's visits to Singapore last June, and Vietnam last month for his summit meetings with US President Donald Trump, Kim Chang-son traveled there in advance to make logistical and protocol preparations.

North Korea appears to be stepping up its diplomacy with Russia since the breakdown of last month's summit between Kim and Trump.

Three senior North Korean officials made back-to-back visits to Russia this month.

Pyongyang's state media recently reported that North Korea and Russia agreed to strengthen "high-level contact" and intensify cooperation on the economy and in humanitarian and various other fields.

The agreement was reached during a meeting in Moscow between North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon-il and his Russian counterpart, Igor Morgulov, according to the Korean Central News Agency. (Yonhap)