Russians deny Korean leader's visit-agencies

MOSCOW, June 23 (Reuters) Russian officials today denied a South Korean newspaper report that North Korean leader Kin Jong-il may be travelling on his train in Russia, local news agencies said.

The daily Chosun Ilbo cited a source as saying witnesses in northeastern North Korea saw one of the heavily armoured, well-equipped trains that Kim uses for his visits overseas passing the northeast border and on a route that would soon take it to Russia.

The paper did not say exactly when the trip may have taken place, but indicated it may have occurred in recent days. South Korean officials said they could not verify the report.

''As far as I know, the North Korean leader hasn't crossed the Russian border today or in the last few days,'' Russia's RIA news agency quoted a spokesman for the Far Eastern railway as saying.

''This is simply impossible,'' it quoted a border guard spokesman in Vladivostok, the centre of the Maritime region neighbouring North Korea, as saying.

Itar-Tass news agency, one of the few foreign media outlets that have offices in Pyongyang, quoted a report by the North Korean news agency KCNA as saying that Kim had recently visited an army unit ''to support high morale of the troops.'' Tass also reported that a North Korean delegation was expected at a regional cooperation conference, due to start tomorrow in the Maritime region.

Tass did not mention when Kim's trip had taken place or where the army unit was located, but said it was the ninth such trip by Kim in June.

Regional powers have expressed concern in recent days over signs North Korea may be preparing to test a long-range missile, with Washington, Tokyo and Seoul saying a launch would present a grave danger to security.

Moscow summoned North Korea's ambassador yesterday to explain reports on the possible launch.

Kim used special trains for trips to Russia that took place in 2001 and 2002.

REUTERS SY PM1119