Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday to participate in the 70th anniversary celebrations of the armistice that marked the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War, according to a statement from the Russian defense ministry.
“The Russian military delegation, led by the Minister of Defense for the Russian Federation, Army General Sergei Shoigu, arrived in DPRK (North Korea),” the statement said.
Upon his arrival, Shoigu was welcomed at the airport by his North Korean counterpart, Kang Sun Nam.
The visit of the Russian defense minister to North Korea comes as the two countries commemorate the historic milestone of the armistice, which halted the armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula but did not lead to a formal peace treaty. The event holds significance in the region’s history, and Russia’s participation in the celebrations further emphasizes the longstanding ties between Russia and North Korea.