A Russian delegation led by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has arrived in North Korea. Later on Wednesday, a Chinese delegation will join them.
They will participate in Pyongyang’s enormous military parades commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War.
The excursions are the first of their kind since the North closed its borders to combat the pandemic.
It is unknown whether this indicates a shift in Pyongyang’s border policies.
Reclusive North Korea ended trade and diplomatic relations with Russia and China by 2020.
Even imports of essential items such as food and medication were prohibited.
North Korea’s food shortages have worsened due to its nuclear program’s worldwide sanctions and border barrier.
Some analysts believe that the participation of Chinese and Russian envoys in this year’s “Victory Day” parade – as the 1953 Korean armistice is known in North Korea – indicates a potential easing of Covid restrictions.
It comes weeks after images of North Koreans without coverings were broadcast on state-run media.
The Russian delegation arrived late Tuesday night in North Korea, where they were greeted warmly at an airport in Pyongyang.
Mr. Shoigu walked passed a queue of saluting soldiers and a red banner reading “Welcome, Comrade Defence Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu!” in both Korean and Russian.
The Chinese delegation will be led by Li Hongzhong, a member of the central policymaking committee of the Chinese Communist Party, and will arrive on Wednesday, according to a party spokesperson.
China and Russia have been North Korea’s allies for decades.
Beijing sent troops to aid North Korea in its conflict with South Korea in the autumn of 1950. The former Soviet Union supported North Korea during the conflict.
Since the USSR collapsed in 1991, Russia and North Korea have been natural friends. Pyongyang and Moscow dispute US assertions that North Korea has provided military assistance to Russia in Ukraine.
After U.S. soldier Travis King fled to North Korea last week, the U.S. has been attempting to communicate with Pyongyang.
Private King, who was supposed to return to the United States to face disciplinary action, encountered North Korea while on a tour of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)-separating Joint Security Area (JSA) and Demilitarised Zone (JSA).
The United States-affiliated United Nations Command stated on Monday that Pvt. King had discussed with North Korea but did not provide further information.
