Russian Defense Chief Views Banned Missiles Displayed by Kim

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un proudly showcased his banned ballistic missiles during a meeting with Russian defense minister Sergey Shoigu. This display highlights the increasing alignment between the two countries. Shoigu is the first Russian defense minister to visit North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union. Alongside him, Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong is also in the country for the upcoming “Victory Day” celebrations, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. It is worth noting that China and Russia’s predecessor, the Soviet Union, supported North Korea during the war. Interestingly, all three nations find common ground in their stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as reported by CNN.

During a state reception for the Russian delegation, North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam expressed full support for “the just struggle of the Russian army and people to defend the sovereignty and security of the country,” according to state media. Sergey Shoigu went as far as to describe North Korea’s military as “the most powerful” in the world, as reported by the BBC. Furthermore, during a tour of a defense exhibition where prohibited nuclear-capable missiles were on display, Shoigu’s actions indicated that Moscow at least tolerates North Korea’s ongoing nuclear modernization, according to Ankit Panda of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, as cited by CNN.

Reuters reports that these showcased missiles were originally banned under UN Security Council resolutions with the support of Russia and China. However, the three countries now stand together in their opposition to the US, highlighting a resurgence of their Cold War-era coalition. In a show of solidarity, Shoigu and Li joined Kim for a performance featuring a backdrop with a slogan used by the Chinese army during the Korean War, vowing to “resist US aggressors.” Kim emphasized that these visits, culminating in the upcoming military parade, demonstrate China’s commitment to nurturing its friendship with North Korea, as well as Russia’s efforts to deepen its “strategic and traditional” relations with the country, as reported by Reuters.