2023-09-09 16:12:38
North Korea celebrated the new edition of its classic paramilitary parade on the occasion of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country. Leader Kim Jong-un He was accompanied by his daughter and representatives of the governments of China and Russia, in a new sign of approach. In addition, “paramilitary forces” participated instead of regular army soldiers, and weapons banned by the UN, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles, were not on display.
The event took place at Kim Il-sung Square in the capital Pyongyang. It was led by the so-called Workers and Peasants Red Guards, a civil defense organization made up of some 5.7 million workers and farmers. Images from the official press showed uniformed paramilitary brigades and rocket launchers on tractors or big red trucksall under the watchful eye of Kim and her smiling daughter.
Columns of motorcycles and anti-tank missile launchers towed by tractors marched, the local agency detailed. KCNAbut intercontinental ballistic missiles or other strategic weapons usually present in large military parades were not shown.
At Kim’s side, her daughter was at all times, who does not appear much in public. The girl, believed to be the second daughter named Ju Ae, would be around 10 years old. She was first introduced to the world last November in state media photos that showed her watching the North’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile with her parents and other officials.
Furthermore, at a time when he is increasingly at loggerheads with Washington, Kim took advantage of the occasion to show his ties with Moscow and Beijing, who moved a diplomatic delegation from each country to the peninsular territory. China was represented by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, who was given a “friendly” welcome by the North Korean leader.
Kim, with her daughter. She is believed to be about 10 years old. Photo: Reuters
Kim and the Chinese representatives agreed on their desire to “develop friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and further intensify multifaceted coordination and cooperation” between both nations.
For its part, Russia sent another group of Russian diplomats, and a song and dance ensemble. The local press linked the lack of senior Russian officials to the alleged preparations for the meeting between Kim and Putin, which Washington expects to happen this month. According to some American reports, it could take place next week.
Putin is expected to attend an international forum from Sunday to Wednesday in the eastern city of Vladivostok, which was also where he first met with Kim in 2019, and is now considered a possible venue for his next meeting. interview.
The messages of Putin and Xi Jinping
According to North Korean public radio (KCBS), the leaders of Russia and ChinaVladimir Putin and Xi Jinpingwould have sent congratulatory messages to Kim on the occasion of the new founding anniversary of North Korea.
Putin, quoted by the Kremlin, congratulated Kim on the anniversary, advocating strengthening “bilateral ties on all fronts.”
“This is fully in the interest of our people,” he stated, adding that since the proclamation of the Pyongyang regime, relations between both countries “have been based on the principles of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual respect“.
The paramilitary parade in the Kim Il-sung square of the capital Pyongyang. Photo: AFP
Xi, for his part, would have reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the development of historically friendly relations between both states, according to official North Korean media.
“For the North Koreans it is a new confirmation that they have the support of China and a good confirmation that, since the war in Ukraine, Russia has no choice but to support North Korea,” said analyst Andrei Lankov.
Tractors towing weapons during the ceremony. Photo: AFP
This last parade had generated expectations despite its smaller scale because it was the third linked to the militia so far this year and amid questions about whether Kim would attend, something that was finally confirmed.
The North Korean leader could soon travel to the Russian city of Vladivostok, according to several media reports, to meet with the Russian president with the aim of negotiating. a possible arms supply agreement.
With agency information
#Kim #appeared #10yearold #daughter #delegations #China #Russia