Receives Russian Defense Minister And Chinese Politburo Official, North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un Pamer Ballistic Missiles To New Drones

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un showed off the latest missiles and drones to the Russian and Chia delegates. (Source: KCNA)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un invited Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his delegation to attend a defense exhibition that also showcased ballistic missiles banned by the UN Security Council.

Apart from Defense Minister Shoigu and the Russian delegation, members of the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo Li Hongzhong and their delegation were also present in Pyongyang, when the country held a 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War which is celebrated every 27 July.

The nuclear-capable missiles are prohibited based on UN Security Council resolutions adopted with support from Russia and China.

Shoigu's visit was the first by the Russian Defense Minister to North Korea since the collapse of the Soviet Union. He delivered a letter from President Vladimir Putin to Leader Kim, according to North Korean media reports.

"(Kim) expressed his views on issues of common concern in the struggle to safeguard sovereignty, development to the interests of the two countries from violent and arbitrary practices, carried out by imperialists and to realize international justice and peace," North Korean media said., reported Reuters July 27.

"He has repeatedly expressed his belief that the army and the people of Russia will achieve great success in the struggle to build a strong country," the media continued.

KCNA does not refer to the war in Ukraine, but North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam, reportedly said North Korea fully supports "Russian struggle for justice" and to protect its sovereignty.

On the occasion, the leader invited Shoigu to tour a new arms exhibition and military equipment, KCNA said.

Photos of state media show leader Kim and her guests at exhibitions of several North Korean ballistic missiles in multibarreled launchers. Other images show what analysts say appear to be new drones.

An analyst said Shoigu's visit to North Korea's missile test site showed Russia's acceptance of North Korea's nuclear program.

"We have traveled far from the time North Korea avoided showing off its nuclear capabilities, when senior foreign officials from Russia and China were in the city," said Ankit Panda of the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, calling the visit something "extraordinary".

"Personal trend for Shoigu - and Shoigu's willingness to be photographed with Kim during this tour - is proof that Moscow is satisfied with North Korea's ongoing nuclear modernization," he explained.

Meanwhile, regarding Li's arrival, who also submitted a letter from President Xi Jinping to Leader Kim, was considered a commitment by the leadership of the Bamboo Curtain country to prioritize friendship with North Korea, according to KCNA quoting Kim Jong-un.

Professor Artyom Lukin of Russia's Far East Federal University in Vladivostok said the simultaneous visit of top officials from Moscow and Beijing to Pyongyang was another sign of the resurgence of the Russian-Cina-North Korea coalition that originally existed in the late 1940s and 1950s, although it is now likely to be led by Beijing and not Moscow.

According to him, Shoigu's appearance at a military exhibition showing off the ICBM was a "very ambiguous attitude", considering that Russia remains officially committed to UN DK resolutions banning North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

"This may indicate that the current geopolitical situation is starting to erode Russia's longstanding interest in preserving the global non-proliferation regime," Lukin added.