Pars Today

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has arrived in North Korea leading a military delegation, joining a high level Chinese delegation to attend the country's Victory Day events marking the end of the Korean War and hold talks on expanding defense ties.

The “congratulatory visit” is led by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Tuesday.

The news of Shoigu's arrival for the 70th war anniversary festivities followed an earlier announcement that a Chinese delegation was also scheduled to travel to North Korea for the event.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that its delegation's visit was from July 25 to 27.

The Chinese delegation, led by China's Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong, is scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang on Wednesday. Both delegations from Russia and China will take part in the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Victory Day on Thursday in Pyongyang, KCNA reported.

The anniversary events are expected to include a major military parade in North Korea's capital, Pyongyang.

“This visit will contribute to strengthening Russian-North Korean military ties and will be an important stage in the development of co-operation between the two countries,” the Russian Defense Ministry declared on Tuesday in a post on its official Telegram.

Russia and China have been aiding North Korea as Pyongyang stands against the United States and its regional allies. The two countries, both veto powers, have been mostly on the side of North Korea in the past several years as the United Nation Security Council, which has been divided over how to deal with the country over its missile and nuclear development program, wanted to impose more sanction against Pyongyang, which sees its weapons as an indispensable deterrent against the expansionist policy and aggression of the nation's adversaries. 

Russia and China have been broadening their strategic ties in defiance of the Western hegemony.

Moscow and Beijing have expanded their cooperation not only in bilateral matters, but also, deepened their ties and devised joint strategies in international affairs related to the broader sphere, involving global geopolitical issues.  

ME