ANKARA (AA) - Russian officials on Tuesday confirmed the arrival of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in their country for a rare summit with President Vladimir Putin.

“I confirm. it's true,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax news agency.

Earlier in the day, the South Korean Defense Ministry said Kim arrived in the Russian border city of Khasan, and was on his way to the Far Eastern city of Ussuriysk.

Kim, who last visited Russia in 2019, left the capital Pyongyang onboard his special train late Sunday along with senior government officials and military personnel, North Korean state media said.

He is believed to be present at the 2023 Eastern Economic Forum, which is taking place in Vladivostok and will last through Wednesday. Putin is also attending the event.

South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Jeon Ha-kyou said Seoul was closely monitoring the visit and possible talks between the two countries over arms trade.

"Considering that a large number of military personnel is accompanying him, (we) are closely monitoring whether negotiations over arms trade between North Korea and Russia, and technology transfers will take place," Seoul-based Yonhap News quoted Jeon as saying.

Earlier, the US claimed secretive talks between Russia and North Korea to supply the Kremlin with munitions for its war effort in Ukraine were "actively advancing."

Seoul also called on Moscow to "act responsibly" as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

"Many countries are watching the summit between North Korea, which is under UN sanctions, and Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, with a bit of concern for various reasons, but as the president has said, we hope Russia will act responsibly," an unnamed official said.