Kim Jong-un sends head of state to Russia in his place

North Korea's titular head of state will travel to Moscow this month instead of the country's young leader, Kim Jong-un, for ceremonies to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe, The Telegraph reported on Monday.

On Thursday, the Kremlin had said Kim Jong-un would not be attending the events in Moscow, dashing expectations for what would have been his first overseas visit since taking power in 2011 following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il.

Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency on Monday said Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, would visit Russia for the celebrations in the North Korean leader's place.

While visiting Moscow would have been an opportunity for Kim Jong Un to chip away at his country's international isolation and improve his image, some analysts had questioned whether he would choose for his first overseas visit an event where he would share the stage with several leaders and have less control over proceedings than in a two-way summit.