North Korea Skips Russia’s Victory Day Amid Growing Military Ties

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will not attend Russia’s Victory Day on May 9, 2025. Despite this, he is actively overseeing military production at home, signaling ongoing support for Russia’s war efforts. Russian officials confirmed North Korea’s representation at the ambassadorial level but suggested possible future meetings with President Putin. Overall, the situation highlights a complex relationship between the two nations amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will not participate in Russia’s upcoming Victory Day festivities, as confirmed by the Kremlin. This announcement comes amid speculation of Kim’s possible appearance alongside other global leaders in Moscow. Instead, Kim’s focus on inspections of weapons factories at home suggests that North Korea is keen on continuing military support for Russia’s ongoing conflict.

In a briefing, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov stated that North Korea would send representatives at the ambassadorial level, but did not dismiss the idea of a future meeting between Kim and President Vladimir Putin. “There will be another interesting meeting, which you will learn about a little later,” Ushakov noted cryptically.

A total of 29 foreign leaders from various nations including Belarus, Brazil, China, and many more are confirmed to attend the celebrations in Moscow. However, North Korea’s absence is notable, as historically no North Korean leader has attended this event, nor has the nation sent troops to celebrate a foreign military parade. Kim Yong-nam, who leads North Korea’s legislative body, represented the nation in 2015.

There was increasing anticipation surrounding Kim Jong-un’s attendance following recent acknowledgments between North Korea and Russia regarding troop deployments and casualties of North Korean soldiers engaged in the conflict. Yet, Ushakov confirmed that no North Korean troops would participate in the military parade this year.

Interestingly, while Kim is skipping the celebrations, he remains active in inspecting North Korea’s weapons output. State media reported Kim’s oversight of munitions production, hinting at a strategy aimed at bolstering military supplies for Russia. Lim Eul-chul, a professor, suggested that these inspections are crucial for strengthening logistical systems for future military cooperations.

Moreover, it is clear that North Korea is ramping up artillery shell production and improving its military industries. Analyst Lim emphasized that Kim’s inspections are directly tied to support for Russia’s war efforts and hints at a deeper ongoing collaboration between the two nations.

State media also noted Kim’s recent visit to a tank factory, further underscoring the importance of armored units as seen in modern conflicts. The M2024 tank, revealed during a recent inspection, is believed to be an enhanced iteration based on lessons drawn from the ongoing war in Ukraine. Analysts suggest that the North’s focus on tank capabilities aims to demonstrate readiness and adaptability in military engagements.

In summary, Kim Jong-un’s non-participation in Russia’s Victory Day signifies continued secrecy and strategic decisions within North Korea. Although he is absent from the May 9 celebrations, Kim’s ongoing focus on military production and inspections signals a commitment to bolster North Korea’s military alignment with Russia. As military ties deepen, analysts are watching for potential future implications of these developments.

Original Source: asianews.network