Kim Jong Un showed North Korea’s latest weapons to Russian Defense Chief Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday.
Pyongyang invited a Russian delegation led by Mr. Shuigu as well as Chinese officials.
He will attend Pyongyang’s celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, which are usually marked by a large military parade.
Among the weapons on display was the Hwasong intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Successfully tested in April, it is believed to be the country’s first ICBM to use solid propellant, which makes it launch faster than liquid fuel.
According to JEE News, a specialist site focused on North Korea, the show also featured two new drone designs, one of which resembles the basic offensive strike drone used by the US Air Force.
The friendly visit comes amid allegations that Pyongyang is supplying Russia with weapons for use in its war in Ukraine – a claim both Pyongyang and Moscow deny.
North Korea’s KCNA said Mr Kim and Mr Shoigu discussed “matters of mutual concern” in the areas of national defense and the international security environment.
The delegation’s visit to mark North Korea’s Victory Day – as the end of the 1953 hostilities is called in North Korea – is expected to end on Thursday with an elaborate military parade. The Koreas are technically still at war because no peace treaty was signed after the conflict ended.
Both Russia and China are longtime allies of North Korea. His visit is the first time Mr Kim has opened his doors to foreign visitors since the Covid pandemic.
The last time Pyongyang invited foreign government delegates to a military parade was in February 2018.
KCNA said Mr. Kim had “friendly talks” with Mr. Shoigu, who gave him an autographed letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that he later described the North Korean military as “the most powerful in the world.” “Stronger than” was said.
The visiting Chinese delegation, led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong, also handed Mr. Kim a personal letter from Mr. Xi.
Mr Kim reportedly told Mr Lee that “the Korean people will never forget the fact that the brave soldiers of the Chinese People’s Volunteers shed their blood to win the war”.
Beijing sent troops to support North Korea in its war against South Korea in the fall of 1950. The then Soviet Union also supported North Korea in this war.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has been a natural ally of North Korea because of their mutual dislike for the United States.
Some analysts say the inclusion of Chinese and Russian ambassadors in this year’s Victory Day parade points to a possible relaxation of Covid restrictions.
It comes weeks after photos of North Koreans walking around without masks appeared on state media.
The reclusive country cut itself off from all trade and diplomatic ties in early 2020, even with its key economic and political partners Russia and China.
