News reports say that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is preparing to visit Russia later this week for talks with President Dmitry Medvedev.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a Japanese daily the Mainichi Shimbun Monday as saying that Russia and North Korea are in final consultations for the meeting in Russia's Far East Friday.

Japan's Kyodo news agency earlier reported that Russian and North Korean leaders are planning to meet later this week in Vladivostok in Russia's far-eastern Primorye region.

The Reuters news agency quoted a local Russian official as confirming that preparations for a summit are underway. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was quoted as saying that the North Korean leader would travel to Russia's far east, which borders with North Korea, in an armored train.

The Kremlin has not issued any statements regarding the reports.

Mr. Kim last traveled to Russia in 2002 to meet with then-president Vladimir Putin.