For the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19 started, North Korea has decided to welcome guests, which shows a change in its isolationist policy. Despite efforts by the United States and its allies to confine North Korea, this action implies a readiness to cooperate with other nations, particularly China and Russia.
North Korea’s military prowess, including brand-new drones and short-range missiles with nuclear warheads, were on display at a military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement that ended the Korean War. Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defense minister, and Li Hongzhong, a member of the Chinese Politburo, were both present at the parade as a symbol of their countries’ support for North Korea despite its nuclear weapons development.
“China and Russia are special partners for North Korea at this moment,” said Wi Sung-lac, a former South Korean ambassador to Russia. “In effect, China and Russia are sort of enablers for North Korea to go ahead with the nuclear and missile program…That’s very much worrisome and frustrating.”
North Korea’s reopening to high-level delegations raises questions about whether it may be considering fully reinstating its pre-pandemic border policy. However, state media reports have not indicated any specific policy shifts.
China has a long history of friendly exchanges with North Korea, and high-level visits between the two countries have been emphasized in Chinese state media. This latest visit by Hongzhong, vice chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, and the presence of China’s new ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, at the 70th-anniversary banquet, show the importance China attaches to its bilateral ties with North Korea.
“Our two parties and the two countries have had a good tradition of friendly exchanges,” spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday. “Having a high-level Chinese delegation visit the DPRK and mark the occasion shows the high importance both sides attach to our bilateral ties,” she said, using the abbreviation for North Korea’s official name.
North Korea’s military prowess, including brand-new drones and short-range missiles with nuclear warheads, were on display at a military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement that ended the Korean War. Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defense minister, and Li Hongzhong, a member of the Chinese Politburo, were both present at the parade as a symbol of their countries’ support for North Korea despite its nuclear weapons development.
“China and Russia are special partners for North Korea at this moment,” said Wi Sung-lac, a former South Korean ambassador to Russia. “In effect, China and Russia are sort of enablers for North Korea to go ahead with the nuclear and missile program…That’s very much worrisome and frustrating.”
North Korea’s reopening to high-level delegations raises questions about whether it may be considering fully reinstating its pre-pandemic border policy. However, state media reports have not indicated any specific policy shifts.
China has a long history of friendly exchanges with North Korea, and high-level visits between the two countries have been emphasized in Chinese state media. This latest visit by Hongzhong, vice chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, and the presence of China’s new ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, at the 70th-anniversary banquet, show the importance China attaches to its bilateral ties with North Korea.
“Our two parties and the two countries have had a good tradition of friendly exchanges,” spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday. “Having a high-level Chinese delegation visit the DPRK and mark the occasion shows the high importance both sides attach to our bilateral ties,” she said, using the abbreviation for North Korea’s official name.
