In Pyongyang on Wednesday, Kim Jong-Un demonstrated new missiles and defensive systems to Russian defensive Minister Sergei Shoigu in advance of events marking the seventieth anniversary of the Korean War armistice. This year, representatives from China and Russia will attend the commemoration of North Korea’s Victory Day, which commemorates the conclusion of hostilities between the two Koreas in 1953.
Even though the two Koreas are still officially at war since no peace treaty was ever concluded after the end of hostilities in 1953, Russia and China remain steadfast friends of North Korea. On Thursday, they’ll be present in a military parade honoring North Korea’s Victory Day.
Shoigu was given a tour of the new missile systems by Kim Jong-Un in Pyongyang before to the display. The brand-new Hwasong Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), which had a successful test in April, was shown to the Russian military minister. It is the first missile system of this range in the nation, and since it employs solid propellants rather than liquid ones, it can launch more quickly. Two new drone designs were also on exhibit, one of which was very similar to the main offensive attack drone used by the United States Air Force, according to NK News, a specialized website that focuses on North Korea.
The trip took place in the midst of claims that Pyongyang has been providing weaponry to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, an allegation both Moscow and Pyongyang have refuted. The official broadcaster of North Korea, KCNA, said that Shoigu and Jong-Un spoke about “matters of mutual concern.” In their cordial conversation, they also covered a wide variety of subjects, including everything from national security to the present state of international security.
In Pyongyang, Shoigui, the leader of the Russian team, sent Kim Jong Un a handwritten letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin allegedly referred to North Korea’s military as the most powerful in the world in the letter, according to KCNA.
A letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping was also delivered by the Chinese team, which was headed by Politburo member Li Hongzhong. In response, Kim Jong-Un thanked the Chinese delegation for their assistance and assured Mr. Li that the Korean people will never forget how the valiant Chinese People’s Volunteers sacrificed their lives to help win the war. Beijing sent soldiers in 1950 to support North Korea’s military campaign against South Korea and its allies.
This delegation visit is a major one. Since the epidemic, North Korea has not before hosted visitors from outside the country. Foreign dignitaries were last received by North Korea during the military parade in 2018. In early 2020, they severed diplomatic and commercial ties with the rest of the globe, including their steadfast friends China and Russia. The large military parade on Thursday, a demonstration of North Korea’s military prowess and continuous presence in the international community, will, however, include participants from both countries this year.