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2nd LD Writethru: DPRK top leader cancels planned visit to Russia

Xinhua, April 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un has canceled his planned visit to Moscow for the Victory Day celebration on May 9, the Kremlin said Thursday.

"We were informed of the decision via diplomatic channels ... The leader cited interior affairs in his country as the reason for his absence," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The DPRK confirmed Kim's visit to Moscow in late January.

Peskov denied allegations that the DPRK leader's decision came after Moscow probably received warnings from some other countries against Kim's presence in Moscow.

"That is certainly not the case," Peskov said.

He went on saying that currently there are no definite plans for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet Kim in the future.

The spokesman also confirmed that leaders of around 30 countries and international organizations would attend the May 9 celebrations in Moscow.

Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9 every year to mark the victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War, Russia's term for World War II. Endi