North Korea rolled out the red carpet for the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, state media said on July 26, with delegations from Moscow and Beijing set to attend Korean War anniversary events, the country's first known foreign visitors since its pandemic border closure. Pyongyang on July 27 will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the 1953 Korean War armistice, which ended open hostilities and is marked as Victory Day in the North. The Russian national anthem blared throughout Pyongyang International Airport, which was "wrapped up in a warm welcome atmosphere" to greet Shoigu on the evening of July 25, the Korean Central News Agency said. To read the original story by AFP, click here.
North Korea Gives Russian Defense Ministry Delegation 'Warm Welcome'
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (center) is welcomed at an airport in Pyongyang on July 25.