North Korea on Wednesday welcomed high-level delegations from Russia and China as it hosted events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War.
The delegations are the country’s first known foreign guests since Pyongyang imposed a strict border closure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Celebrations
On Thursday, the secretive regime will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice on 27 July 1953, which the North marks as Victory Day.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was welcomed at the Pyongyang airport by his North Korean counterpart Kang Sun Nam. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the Russian national anthem played throughout the Pyongyang International Airport, which was “wrapped up in a warm welcome atmosphere” to greet the Russian leader on Tuesday evening.
After years of pandemic isolation, North Korea has invited its friends back this week, hosting senior Chinese and Russian delegations for 70th anniversary commemorations of the Korean War and the struggle against the United States and its allies https://t.co/6IIh9MHkTd pic.twitter.com/Z8eVQXvtgR
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 26, 2023
“Flags of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation were fluttering at the flagstaffs and the guards of honour of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) lined up at the station before the terminal,” KCNA reported.
The media house added that North Koreans expressed their “full support” for the Russian army and people, “who are struggling to defend the sovereign rights and development and interests of their country.”
Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation is being led by Communist Party of China (CPC) Politburo member Li Hongzhong.
The so-called hermit kingdom is also expected to hold a major military parade in Pyongyang.
Influence on North Korea
US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Tuesday that both Russia and China “have a potential role they can play, including through the auspices of the UN Security Council in which they can use their influence over the DPRK [North Korea] to encourage them to refrain from threatening unlawful behaviour, behaviour that will not just incite tensions in the immediate region but also the region broadly.”
“They also have a potential role to play in encouraging the DPRK to return to the negotiating table,” he added.