Kim Jong-un Meets Chinese Delegation After The Armistice Celebration

Kim Yo-jong while accompanying his brother North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (Screenshot of YouTube TheThings Celebrity)

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met with the Chinese delegation, a day after celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Korean war ceasefire, North Korean state media said.

During the meeting on Friday (28/7), both sides reaffirmed their commitment to improving their bilateral relations, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported by ANTARA, Saturday, July 29.

A delegation of Chinese governments arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday to attend a ceasefire memorial celebration that was held the next day.

Led by Li Hongzhong, a member of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo, the delegation became one of the first foreign groups to visit Pyongyang since North Korea imposed a border closure due to COVID-19 in early 2020, along with a Russian delegation.

Kim met with the Russian delegation on Wednesday (26/7). On Friday, Kim thanked China for its assistance during the Korean War and said North Korea would always remember the huge contribution during "the most difficult period," according to KCNA.

Kim also voiced his appreciation to Chinese leader Xi Jinping for sending delegations and personal letters, praising that China would achieve "the dream of great prosperity" under Xi's leadership, the report added. However, the contents of the letter were not stated.

According to the main newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, People's Daily, Xi wrote in the letter that China and North Korea shared "friendships inscribed with blood" during the Korean War.

In addition, Beijing will also strengthen and develop relations with Pyongyang "no matter how much the international situation changes."

The newspaper said the letter was submitted to Kim via Li.

KCNA said that Pyongyang and Beijing reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation and their "strategic and tactical collaboration" to address "complex international situations" through the meeting.

After the meeting, Kim also held a reception with the Chinese delegation, in which his ruling sisters, Yo-jong, and Li, gave a speech, according to the report.