SEOUL: North Korea rolled out the red carpet for the Russian defense minister, state media said on Wednesday, with delegations from Moscow and Beijing set to attend Korean War anniversary events, the country's first known foreign visitors since its pandemic border closure.Pyongyang on Thursday will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the July 27, 1953 Korean War armistice, which ended open hostilities and is marked as Victory Day in the North.The Russian national anthem blared throughout Pyongyang International Airport, which was 'wrapped up in a warm welcome atmosphere' to greet Moscow's Sergei Shoigu and his delegation Tuesday evening, the Korean Central News Agency said.'Flags of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation were fluttering at the flagstaffs and the guards of honor of the Korean People's Army (KPA) lined up at the station before the terminal,' KCNA said.Shoigu was greeted by North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam, and photos carried by the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed hundreds of uniformed KPA soldiers lining the airport holding signs welcoming the Russians.The 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,' KCNA added.
This picture taken on July 25, 2023 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on July 26 shows Kang Sun Nam, minister of National Defense of the DPRK, greeting Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu upon his arrival at Pyongyang International Airport. AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNSRussia, a historic ally of Pyongyang, is one of a handful of nations that maintains friendly relations with the North.
Change in border policy? The inclusion of foreign guests at this year's celebrations is a post-pandemic first and hints at new flexibility towards enforcing border controls.China also said it would send a delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong that was due to arrive in Pyongyang later Wednesday, suggesting they would not be required to undergo an extensive quarantine ahead of the Thursday anniversary event.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Top Russian, Chinese officials to visit North Korea in post-pandemic firstSEOUL, South Korea - North Korea will this week welcome Russia's defence minister and a high-level Chinese delegation to Pyongyang for Korean War armistice anniversary celebrations, state media said Tuesday, marking a key shift in the nuclear-armed country's stringent Covid-19 border restrictions.
Read more »
North Korea fires 2 short-range ballistic missiles after US submarine arrives in South KoreaNorth Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea, South Korea’s military said, adding to a recent streak in weapons testing that is apparently in protest of the U.S. sending major naval assets to South Korea in a show of force.
Read more »
North Korea fires missiles ahead of key anniversarySEOUL, South Korea–Pyongyang conducted twin missile launches late Monday, ahead of Korean War anniversary celebrations that will be attended by Chinese dignitaries in the first foreign delegation visit to the country since its 2020 pandemic border closure.
Read more »
North Korea fires 2 missiles after US submarine arrives in SouthJapan's defense ministry also reports the launch of what it says are two ballistic missiles by North Korea, both of which fell outside its exclusive economic zone.
Read more »
Highest-level Chinese delegation to visit North Korea since Covid restrictionsA high-level Chinese government delegation is headed to North Korea this week, believed to be the highest-level representatives from Beijing to visit Pyongyang since the isolated country closed its borders during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read more »