Russian and Chinese military delegations journey to North Korea to participate in armistice celebrations.

 

Pyongyang Extends Invitations to Allies for 'Victory Day' Celebrations amid Tensions with South Korea.

Russian and Chinese delegations are set to visit North Korea this week to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, marking the first such visit since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Chinese delegation, led by Communist Party of China's politburo member Li Hongzhon, will participate in the "Victory Day" ceremonies in the capital, Pyongyang, as reported by the state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Simultaneously, the Russian delegation, headed by defense minister Sergei Shoigu, will visit North Korea from July 25th to July 27th to partake in festive events commemorating the end of the Korean War, according to a statement from the defense ministry.

The ministry also mentioned that the visit aims to strengthen Russian-North Korean military ties and signifies an important stage in the development of cooperation between the two countries.

The conflict between North Korea, supported by the Soviet Union and China, and South Korea, backed by the US and allied forces, raged from 1950 to 1953.

"The celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War are to be held in the capital city of Pyongyang as a grand political festival to be specially recorded in the history of the Korean nation," the state media reported.

In early 2020, North Korea closed its borders to all trade and diplomatic exchanges, even with its main economic and political partners, China and Russia.

The display of unity between these three nations, despite North Korea's aggressive nuclear aspirations, occurs while the United States strengthens its military bases in South Asia as a measure to counter China.

North Korea has been facing UN sanctions due to its missile and nuclear programs since 2006, yet the Kim Jong-un administration continues to conduct regular test missile launches, including intercontinental and ballistic missiles. In March, during a security council meeting, China and Russia blamed Washington and South Korea for provoking Pyongyang through joint military drills. In response, the US accused the two Communist nations of enabling North Korea by shielding it from further sanctions.

China reaffirmed on Monday that it "strictly" enforces UN sanctions on North Korea in response to a letter from the Group of Seven, EU, and others urging Beijing to halt Pyongyang's military escalation.

On Monday, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast, seemingly in response to the arrival of a US nuclear-powered submarine at a South Korean military base. This marks the second time in the past week that North Korea has launched missiles.

During this time, US officials are working to negotiate the release of Travis King from North Korean custody. Talks have been initiated between the UN Command and Pyongyang regarding the case of Mr. King, an American soldier who crossed into North Korea on July 18 while on a civilian tour of the Demilitarized Zone, situated on the border strip between the two Koreas.

The US Army stated that he intentionally crossed the border as he sought to avoid disciplinary action upon his return to the US.