North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who is traveling across Russia in his armored train, arrived on Tuesday to the south Siberian republic of Buryatia, the regional government said.
Kim’s route across Buryatia is under tight secrecy. However witnesses said his cortege was headed towards Lake Baikal, where the site of ambitious resort facilities is under construction.
The regional government said that Kim may visit Baikal and the surrounding construction sites as well as Buryatia’s industrial plants.
Kim started his first trip to Russia since 2002 on Saturday. He is expected to hold talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Ulan-Ude and may also meet with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
On Sunday, the North Korean leader visited the largest hydropower plant in Russia’s Far East, Bureiskaya.