PYONGYANG: North Korea will this week welcome Russia’s defence minister and a high-level Chinese delegation to Pyongyang for the celebrations of the Korean War, state media reported on Tuesday, a sign it could be reopening its borders to top-level visitors after a lengthy Covid-19 pandemic closure.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that a military delegation of Russia led by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu would pay a facilitatory visit to North Korea, according to AFP.
The announcement comes a day after it confirmed that a Chinese delegation would also participate in the Thursday event.
Russia, China Relations with North Korea
Russia, one of North Korea’s historic and close allies, among a few countries that maintain friendly ties with Pyongyang, and its leader Kim Jong Un has shown support for Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine, including supplying missiles and rockets, as Washington claims.
The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement that the trip would contribute to consolidating Russian-North Korean military relations and would be an important step in expanding cooperation between the two nations.
China, the main trading partner of Pyongyang, also confirmed Tuesday that its high-level delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong would visit North Korea.
The foreign visitors would attend events in Pyongyang to celebrate seventy years since the inking of the armistice, known as Victory Day in North Korea.
A large-scale army parade and other events are likely to be held this week, with satellite photos indicating that soldiers and civilians have been preparing for the parade for months.
North Korea’s biggest nuclear-capable missiles and other weapons are expected to be shown through Kim Il Sung Square during the event.
