A Russian military delegation will visit Pyongyang to attend events marking the July 27 armistice, North Korean state media reported on the afternoon of July 25.
The delegation will be led by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The news follows an announcement on July 24 that a delegation from the Chinese Communist Party would also travel to North Korea to attend the 70th anniversary of the victory, marking a significant change in Pyongyang's Covid-19 border restrictions.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its delegation will visit North Korea from July 25 to 27. Russia is one of the few countries that maintains friendly relations with North Korea.
“This visit will contribute to strengthening Russian-DPRK military ties and will be an important stage in the development of cooperation between the two countries,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said via Telegram.
China, North Korea's main trading partner, also confirmed on July 25 that it would send a delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong to the country.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: NK News
North Korea is preparing to hold a major military parade to showcase its latest nuclear weapons. The parade is expected to take place in the early morning or evening of July 27.
A large-scale military parade and other events are expected to be held this week. Satellite images show that North Korean soldiers and civilians have been training for the parade for months, according to Seoul-based NK News.
If the Chinese and Russian delegations attend the parade, it will be the first time North Korea has allowed foreign guests to attend such an event since 2018. Even foreign diplomats stationed in Pyongyang appear to have had no chance to attend the five parades that have taken place since the start of the pandemic.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other top officials are likely to hold high-level military and political meetings with Shoigu and Chinese delegation chief Li Hongzhong on the sidelines of the parade and other events.
The visit by the Chinese and Russian delegations is the first by foreign delegations to North Korea since the start of the pandemic.
North Korea has imposed strict lockdown measures on itself since early 2020 to protect itself from Covid-19, with even its own citizens not allowed to return home.
The country only resumed some trade with China last year and allowed Beijing's new special envoy to take up his post this year.
Beijing said the delegation would arrive in Pyongyang on July 26, meaning they would not have to undergo extensive quarantine ahead of the anniversary event on July 27 .
Nguyen Tuyet (According to NK News, France24)
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