Russian Defense Minister Shoygu Arrives in North Korea to Attend 70th Anniversary of Korean War Armistice
In a statement released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, it was announced that a Russian military delegation led by Defense Minister Shoygu has arrived in North Korea. According to sources, Shoygu was welcomed at the airport by North Korean Defense Minister Kang Son-nam.
The Russian Ministry of Defense had previously announced that, upon the invitation of the North Korean Ministry of Defense, Shoygu would lead a delegation to visit North Korea from the 25th to the 27th of this month to participate in the 70th anniversary celebration of the Korean War armistice.
The Russian Ministry of Defense emphasized that “Shoygu’s visit to North Korea will help strengthen the military relations between the two countries and become an important stage in the development of cooperation between the two nations.”
Recently, North Korean state media announced that China and Russia would send high-level delegations to visit Pyongyang. This is the first time that foreign delegations have visited North Korea since the country implemented border closure measures in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Bloomberg, North Korean state media “Rodong Sinmun” stated on the 24th that the 27th of this month marks the 70th anniversary of the “Victory in the Korean War” (the signing day of the Korean Peninsula Armistice Agreement). Vice Chairman of the Chinese National People’s Congress, Li Hongzhong, will lead a delegation of senior Chinese officials to represent Chinese President Xi Jinping in attending the event. The spokesperson of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China later confirmed this news.
On the 25th, “Rodong Sinmun” revealed that, upon the invitation of the North Korean Ministry of Defense, Russian Defense Minister Shoygu will also lead a military delegation to visit Pyongyang to celebrate the Victory Day. “Rodong Sinmun” also stated that “the visit of the Russian Federation military delegation will be an important opportunity to enhance and develop the traditional friendship between North Korea and Russia and meet the needs of the times.”
The “Liberty Times” cited the South Korean newspaper “Kyungyang News” on Tuesday, pointing out that some analysts believe that North Korea intends to invite China and Russia on the so-called Victory Day to emphasize the unity of the three countries in the “new Cold War” situation against the United States, Japan, and South Korea. In June of this year, the Political Bureau of the Workers’ Party of Korea emphasized “anti-American unity” at the Eighth Central Committee Plenum, declaring its intention to further strengthen relations with countries that have a strategy of “resisting the United States’ attempt to seize world hegemony.”
What is the significance of Russian Defense Minister Shoygu’s first visit to North Korea in over a decade in terms of strengthening military ties between the two countries?
At a Russian defense minister is visiting North Korea since 2009. The visit is seen as a significant step in strengthening military ties between the two countries.
The Korean War armistice, signed on July 27, 1953, ended the three-year long conflict between North and South Korea. The 70th anniversary of this armistice is being celebrated in North Korea, and the presence of Defense Minister Shoygu is expected to demonstrate Russia’s support and solidarity with North Korea.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Shoygu’s visit will contribute to the further development of military cooperation between the two nations. This visit comes at a time when Russia has been seeking to expand its influence in the region, and North Korea is looking for allies amidst ongoing tensions with the United States.
China and Russia have both expressed their commitment to supporting North Korea, with China sending a high-level delegation as well. The visit by Defense Minister Shoygu signifies the growing importance of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
It is worth noting that this is the first visit by a Russian defense minister to North Korea in over a decade. This visit is seen as a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two countries and is expected to strengthen ties in various aspects, including military and strategic cooperation.
Overall, Defense Minister Shoygu’s visit to North Korea for the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice is an important event that highlights the growing military ties between Russia and North Korea. It is expected to further enhance cooperation and solidify the relationship between the two nations.
“Russia’s Defense Minister Shoygu’s presence in North Korea for their 70th anniversary celebrations signifies the strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. It’s an interesting development that could have significant implications for regional dynamics.”