Digital Scoop India Official Platform of Digital Scoop India Featuring Latest & Best News #Articles #Bytes #Entertainment #DigitalScoopMagazine
Related Articles
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang to discuss military matters and the regional security environment, as North Korea commemorated the 70th anniversary of the armistice that marked the end of the Korean War in 1953. The meeting between Kim and Shoigu resulted in a consensus on issues of mutual concern in the field of national defense, security, as well as regional and international security, according to North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
During the meeting, Shoigu presented Kim with a “warm and good letter” signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the contents of which were not disclosed in the report. However, the exchange signified a strengthening of ties between North Korea and Russia in matters related to defense and security.
Kim Jong Un took the Russian Defense Minister to an arms exhibition, where North Korea showcased some of its latest weapons, and briefed Shoigu on the country’s plans to expand its military capabilities. Photos from the exhibition depicted Kim gesturing and discussing with Shoigu while observing large missiles mounted on launcher trucks.
This rare diplomatic opening occurred as North Korea invited delegations from Russia and China to join in the events commemorating the armistice of July 27, 1953. Although the armistice left the Korean Peninsula in a state of technical war, North Korea views it as a victory in the “Grand Fatherland Liberation War.”
Notably, North Korea’s festivities were anticipated to culminate in a massive military parade in Pyongyang, where Kim could showcase the country’s most powerful, nuclear-capable missiles, designed to target neighboring rivals and the U.S. mainland. However, state media had not confirmed the plans for the parade at the time of reporting.
Experts suggest that North Korea may be seeking an opportunity to break out of diplomatic isolation and align itself with China and Russia against the United States. Amid U.S. confrontations with China and Russia over regional influence and the situation in Ukraine, North Korea may be attempting to insert itself into a united front against Washington.
China’s delegation to North Korea was headed by Li Hongzhong, a mid-level official and politburo member of China’s ruling Communist Party. KCNA reported that senior North Korean officials, led by Choe Ryong Hae, chairman of the standing committee of the country’s rubber-stamp parliament, held a reception honoring Chinese soldiers who died while fighting alongside North Koreans during the war. During the reception, Li expressed China’s readiness to promote sound and stable relations with North Korea.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also held talks with North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam aimed at strengthening cooperation between their defense departments. At a reception hosted by Kang, Shoigu praised the North Korean People’s Army under Kim’s leadership, hailing it as “the strongest army in the world,” as reported by KCNA.
North Korea has been forging closer ties with Russia, particularly over the war in Ukraine, where it insists that the “hegemonic policy” of the U.S.-led West has compelled Moscow to take military action to safeguard its security interests. While the Biden administration accuses North Korea of providing arms to Russia for its activities in Ukraine, North Korea denies the allegation.
Both Russia and China have been obstructing U.S. efforts to strengthen United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea in response to its numerous missile tests. As diplomatic developments unfold in the region, global attention remains focused on North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia and its engagement in the international security landscape.
Sources By Agencies
