Training him among huge intercontinental ballistic missiles and new military drones, Kim Jong Un presented the Russian Defense Minister with North Korea’s most advanced weapons, according to state media.
North Korean state media released images of the North Korean leader accompanying Mr Sergei Shoigu through a massive defense exhibit showcasing Pyongyang’s nuclear missiles and what Seoul-based specialist site NK News identified as being new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The Russians and a Chinese delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong, who arrived on Wednesday, are the first known foreign visitors to Pyongyang since the pandemic-related border closures in 2020, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
Pyongyang on Thursday marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the July 27, 1953 Korean War armistice, which ended the fighting, commemorated in the North as Victory Day.
MM. Kim and Shoigu visited the “Weapons and Equipment Expo 2023”, said the Korean central news agency KCNA, which published photos on which appear in particular the Hwasong-17, and the Hwasong-18, a solid fuel ICBM.
Russia, a historic ally of North Korea, is one of the few nations with which Pyongyang maintains friendly relations.
Kim had “a friendly chat” with Sergei Shoigu, who presented him with “a signed letter” from Russian President Vladimir Putin, KCNA reported.
“Recalling with deep emotion the history of friendship between the DPRK and Russia, Messrs. Kim and Shoigu discussed issues of common concern in the field of national defense and security and regional and international security environment,” Korea’s central news agency KCNA said.
The meeting “is an important opportunity to develop the strategic and traditional relations between the DPRK and Russia, as required by the new century”, assured KCNA, which described “a cordial atmosphere overflowing with militant friendship”.
The North Korean leader supports Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, including by supplying rockets and missiles, according to Washington.
During his visit, Mr. Kim spoke to Mr. Shoigu “about the weapons and equipment that have been invented and produced” as part of North Korea’s national defense plan and “repeatedly expressed his belief that the Russian army and people will achieve great successes,” KCNA added.
Shoigu’s visit is all the more remarkable given that Russian defense ministers have not visited Pyongyang on a regular basis since the collapse of the USSR, experts told AFP.
According to Vladimir Tikhonov, professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo in Norway, “Russia may need the potential of North Korea’s military industry in the field of conventional weapons, while North Korea may be interested in missile technology transfers from Russia”.
But despite media coverage of Shoigu’s visit, North Korea should be “very careful” before supplying Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine, University professor Park Won-gon told AFP. University of Ewha.
“If confirmed publicly, European countries will also become adversaries,” Park said, adding that North Korea would prefer not to face additional sanctions.
“She will therefore be cautious, but it is possible that Russia will seek to obtain more help in secret,” notes the researcher.
Kim Jong Un also met with a Chinese delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong. Beijing is North Korea’s main ally.
Satellite images indicate that North Korea is preparing for a large-scale military parade for the anniversary celebrated on Thursday.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, citing several unnamed government sources, reported that there had been “clear signs” in recent days of preparations for a parade in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang.
This year marks the return after the pandemic of foreign guests for these celebrations, suggesting a relaxation of border controls.
Since the 1950-1953 war, concluded by an armistice in the absence of a peace treaty, the two Koreas are still officially at war.
27/07/2023 06:51:07 – Seoul (AFP) © 2023 AFP
