North Korean Leader Visits Siberian City of Omsk

Published July 31st, 2001 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-Il, travelling by train for an historic summit in Moscow, arrived in the Siberian city of Omsk Tuesday and was quickly whisked away to a guest house. 

Dressed in a beige outfit, the portly 59-year-old Stalinist dictator stepped off the train, escorted by a phalanx of North Korean security officials as rifle-toting Russian guards cleared a path infront. 

A group of North Korean journalists were allowed onto the platform, where President Vladimir Putin's regional envoy Leonid Drachevsky and other top officials greeted him briefly.  

A small group of local reporters accredited for his 24-hour visit were kept well back. 

The secretive leader embarked on his surprise voyage to Russia -- the first country he has visited officially after China -- last Thursday, choosing to travel by train reportedly because of a fear of flying -- OMSK, Russia (AFP) 

 

© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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