Kim Jong-un welcomes guests from China and Russia in paramilitary parade

Seoul, South Korea – North Korea invited Chinese delegates and Russian artists to a paramilitary parade in which there were rocket launchers pulled by trucks and tractors, state media reported on Saturday, in the most recent initiative by its ruler kim jong un to show your links with Moscow and Beijing at a time when he is increasingly at odds with Washington.

The midnight parade in the capital Pyongyang, marking the 75th anniversary of North Korea’s founding, took place amid expectations that Kim will travel to Russia. for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, in which they could discuss the sale of North Korean weapons to replenish Russian reserves, diminished due to the war in Ukraine.

China sent a delegation led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong to the North Korean anniversary celebrations. For its part, Russia sent a military singing and dancing group.

South Korean media speculated that the lack of Russian officials at the celebrations in Pyongyang could be related to preparations for the meeting between Kim and Putin., which Washington expects to happen this month. According to some American reports, it could take place next week.

Putin is expected to attend an international forum from Sunday to Wednesday in the eastern city of Vladivostok, which was also where he first met with Kim in 2019, and is now considered a possible venue for his next meeting. interview.