North Korea Skips Victory Day Parade as Military Ties with Russia Deepen
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will not attend Russia’s Victory Day on May 9, marking a historical absence. However, he is actively focused on domestic military activities, particularly supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. Kim’s factory inspections underscore North Korea’s commitment to increasing military production and strengthening ties with Moscow.
In a surprising turn of events, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un alongside his military personnel will not participate in Russia’s upcoming Victory Day celebrations on May 9. This confirmation comes from the Kremlin amidst the backdrop of increasing military ties between North Korea and Russia. While many had speculated about Kim’s attendance, his absence suggests a different focus — his ongoing military activities back home.
Despite this, Kim has been actively engaging in military-related activities, including what is described as “field guidance” at weapon production facilities in North Korea. Analysts in Seoul interpret this as a message indicating that North Korea intends to continue supporting Russia’s military endeavors. Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov shared some insights during a briefing this week, noting that North Korea will send a delegation at the ambassadorial level instead.
Ushakov hinted at a mysterious meeting expected to take place that remains unannounced but did not omit the possibility of Kim eventually meeting with President Vladimir Putin. This year, 29 leaders from various countries are confirmed to attend the military parade in Moscow, including those from Belarus, China, and several African nations. However, it’s important to highlight that historically, North Korean leaders, including Kim Jong-un, have never attended such a parade.
A look back reveals that the last North Korean delegation to Russia’s Victory Day was led by Kim Yong-nam in 2015 for its 70th celebration. Notably, Kim’s father, Kim Jong-il, also refrained from attending multilateral events, a practice that continues today under Kim Jong-un. This hesitation comes even as there was heightened anticipation regarding Kim’s possible appearance following a recent acknowledgment of North Korean troop involvement in Ukraine from both Putin and North Korean media.
During the briefing, Ushakov confirmed that North Korean forces would indeed not be part of the Victory Day festivities. When questioned about their participation, he simply reiterated the countries attending, implying North Korea would not be among them. Moving forward, Kim Jong-un’s absence at such a significant event won’t detract from ongoing military developments at home.
Since the announcement about troop deployments in Ukraine, Kim has been active within North Korea’s munitions industry, inspecting various production plants. This indicates a heightened commitment to ramping up military supplies, particularly artillery shells, in relation to the conflict abroad. Lim Eul-chul from Kyungnam University pointed out that these inspections appear focused on enhancing logistical support for future military operations.
Furthermore, state media recently highlighted Kim’s visits to factories that specialize in tank production. Analysts believe the newly revealed M2024 tank represents an evolution of the earlier M2020 model, reconfigured based on lessons learned from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Hong Min from the Korea Institute for National Unification commented that there’s now a significant emphasis on the role of tanks, suggesting this reflects a broader strategic response to the ongoing military situation.
In summary, while Kim Jong-un and his military will skip the 2025 Victory Day parade in Russia, their absence does not signal a retreat from military engagement. Instead, the leader’s activities at home indicate a strong commitment to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. The ongoing inspections at munitions factories and developments in tank designs further demonstrate North Korea’s intention to bolster its military capabilities and strengthen ties with Russia in the defense sector.
Original Source: asianews.network
