North Korea’s Kim Jong-un to Skip Russia’s Victory Day…

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his troops will not attend Russia’s Victory Day on May 9, according to the Kremlin. As speculation mounted about Kim’s possible appearance, he continued to supervise military production at home, signaling support for Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. North Korea will only be represented at an ambassadorial level, with 29 foreign leaders expected to attend the celebrations in Moscow.

On May 8, 2025, the Kremlin announced that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his troops will not be attending Russia’s Victory Day events on May 9. There had been speculation over Kim’s potential appearance alongside other leaders in Moscow as relations between North Korea and Russia grow stronger. Yet, instead of traveling to Russia, Kim has continued his domestic duties, particularly visiting weapons factories, which analysts interpret as a sign of North Korea’s ongoing military commitment to support Russia’s activities in Ukraine.

During a recent briefing, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that North Korea would only be represented at an ambassadorial level at the celebrations, according to TASS, a state-run news agency. Interestingly, Ushakov hinted at a possible meeting between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, “But there will be another interesting meeting…” though he chose not to elaborate further.

This year’s Victory Day Parade will see the attendance of 29 foreign leaders, including politicians from countries like Belarus, China, and Venezuela, among others. To note, no North Korean leader has ever attended this May 9 parade, nor has the nation dispatched troops to any foreign military parade. Kim Yong-nam, the head of North Korea’s rubber-stamp parliament, was part of a delegation sent for Russia’s May 9 celebrations in 2015, and the previous occasion in 2005 involved another official, Ri Jong-san.

While Kim Jong-un has not participated in international multilateral events, his father Kim Jong-il also missed such gatherings, marking a departure from the practices of Kim Il-sung, the country’s founder, who did engage internationally. For a while, anticipation increased regarding Kim’s potential attendance due to recent discussions between Putin and North Korean media acknowledging the deployment of troops and casualties in Ukraine, marking an unprecedented acknowledgment by both parties.

Ushakov also indicated clearly that North Korean troops will not be part of the military parade, simply stating that he had enumerated all participating nations. As North Korea opts out of the parade, it appears Kim is focusing on bolstering military capabilities back home. North Korean state media indicated on Wednesday that Kim had given guidance at significant munitions factories regarding shells and machinery production, though specific dates were not provided.

Professor Lim Eul-chul from Kyungnam University speculated that these factory visits signified efforts to fortify logistical operations for troop deployments and munitions supplies destined for Russia. He highlighted a newfound focus on boosting artillery shell production and machine building within the publications from state media, aspects that directly link to North Korea’s intent to support Russia in its continued conflict with Ukraine.

Lim drew attention to how Kim’s efforts in mass production of artillery shells could meet ongoing military demands as Russia continues its war of attrition. This support might also allow North Korea to gain foreign technology and currency while preparing for deeper technological cooperation with Russia moving forward.

Additionally, reports from state media noted Kim’s oversight of a major tank factory, although specific details about the factory or the date were absent. Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, remarked that the new M2024 tank showcased during this visit is likely to be an evolved version of a prior model incorporating lessons learned from modern warfare, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The emphasis on tank capabilities reflects a strategic pivot in addressing current battlefield needs and likely aims to showcase North Korea’s military advancements.

In summary, anticipation around Kim Jong-un’s attendance at Russia’s Victory Day celebrations has proven unfounded, as he opts to remain in North Korea amidst ongoing military preparations. While North Korean representation will only be at the ambassadorial level, Kim’s inspections of munitions factories indicate that military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine remains a priority. Experts suggest these efforts will not only aid Russia but also strengthen North Korea’s military capabilities, emphasizing a potential long-term collaboration between both nations.

Original Source: asianews.network