Kim Jong Un meets heads of Russian and Chinese delegations in Pyongyang

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to discuss military issues and the regional security environment, North Korean state media said on July 27.

Mr Shoigu was the North Korean leader's first foreign guest since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The minister handed Mr Kim a letter signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to KCNA.

On July 26, Mr. Shoigu also held talks with North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the defense ministries of the two countries, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim and Shoigu had a "friendly conversation" in Pyongyang on July 26 and reached consensus on "issues of mutual concern in the defense and security fields as well as the international and regional security environment." However, details of the discussion were not disclosed.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visit an exhibition of weapons and equipment to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. Photo: Reuters

The meeting “played an important role in further developing the strategic and traditional relations between the DPRK and Russia as required by the new century,” KCNA added.

According to KCNA, Mr Kim took Mr Shoigu to an arms exhibition that displayed some of North Korea's latest weapons and informed him of national plans to expand the country's military capabilities.

"Before the July 27 anniversary, Mr. Kim also met with a Chinese delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong. Mr. Li handed over a letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping himself," KCNA said.

“The Korean people will never forget the fact that the brave soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army shed their blood to bring about victory,” KCNA quoted Mr. Kim as telling Mr. Li.

Kim Jong Un lays a wreath in memory of Chinese soldiers who died during the Korean War (1950-1953) at the Chinese People's Volunteer Army martyrs' cemetery in Hoechang, South Phyongan Province, July 25. Photo: Korea Times/Yonhap

On July 27, Pyongyang marked the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice (July 27, 1953), ending open hostilities. July 27 is known as Victory Day in the country.

Satellite images show that North Korea is preparing for a large-scale military parade to mark Victory Day.

There have been “clear signs” of preparations for a midnight parade at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang in recent days, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported.

Inviting foreign guests to this year's celebrations is a first step after the pandemic and suggests new flexibility in enforcing border controls.

According to Yonhap, delegations from Russia and China arrived in Pyongyang on July 26, the first known foreign visitors to Pyongyang since the country went into self-imposed lockdown due to the pandemic in 2020. During that time, even its citizens were not allowed to enter the country.

North Korea only resumed some trade with China last year and allowed Beijing's new special envoy Wang Yajun to take up his post this year.

Russia's ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, has remained in the capital Pyongyang throughout the pandemic, even as staff at his embassy dwindled and other foreign missions closed .

Nguyen Tuyet (According to AP, Barron's, Yahoo!News)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/ong-kim-jong-un-gap-truong-phai-doan-nga-trung-quoc-tai-binh-nhuong-a619080.html