This week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Politburo member Li Hongzhong on the same day that marked the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice agreement, celebrated with a military parade.
Many years ago, the Korean War ended with the armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953. However, an official peace treaty was never signed, so both halves of Korea are technically still at war. The day the agreement was signed, North Korea celebrated “Victory Day,” while South Korea marked the beginning of its alliance with the U.S.
Shoigu, who is overseeing the invasion of Ukraine, was the first Russian minister to visit North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The message this sends is alarming. Both Russia and China are supporting North Korea, despite its nuclear programs. North Korea is beginning to open its doors. The state media said that North Korea showcased drones and nuclear missiles during Thursday night’s parade.
“China and Russia are special partners for North Korea at this moment,” said Wi Sung-lac, the 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.”
Earlier in the week, Kim guided Shoigu through North Korea’s ballistic missiles. Those missiles were in fact banned by the U.N. for having nuclear capabilities. In recent years, Beijing and Moscow have disagreed with the council’s efforts to punish North Korea for repeatedly testing the missiles.
Shoigu’s visit may be related to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to Kyiv, where he pledged to aid Ukraine. “The current situation facing Ukraine reminds us of the past situation of the Republic of Korea,” Yoon said, referring to the 1950 North Korean invasion.
U.S. intelligence officials have said Russia is buying artillery shells and weapons from North Korea for use in the war. North Korea’s reopening to the delegations this week has alerted us to whether it might be preparing to open to the outside world completely again.
Many years ago, the Korean War ended with the armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953. However, an official peace treaty was never signed, so both halves of Korea are technically still at war. The day the agreement was signed, North Korea celebrated “Victory Day,” while South Korea marked the beginning of its alliance with the U.S.
Shoigu, who is overseeing the invasion of Ukraine, was the first Russian minister to visit North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The message this sends is alarming. Both Russia and China are supporting North Korea, despite its nuclear programs. North Korea is beginning to open its doors. The state media said that North Korea showcased drones and nuclear missiles during Thursday night’s parade.
“China and Russia are special partners for North Korea at this moment,” said Wi Sung-lac, the 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.”
Earlier in the week, Kim guided Shoigu through North Korea’s ballistic missiles. Those missiles were in fact banned by the U.N. for having nuclear capabilities. In recent years, Beijing and Moscow have disagreed with the council’s efforts to punish North Korea for repeatedly testing the missiles.
Shoigu’s visit may be related to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to Kyiv, where he pledged to aid Ukraine. “The current situation facing Ukraine reminds us of the past situation of the Republic of Korea,” Yoon said, referring to the 1950 North Korean invasion.
U.S. intelligence officials have said Russia is buying artillery shells and weapons from North Korea for use in the war. North Korea’s reopening to the delegations this week has alerted us to whether it might be preparing to open to the outside world completely again.
