Kim Jong-un Absent from Speech... Strengthening North Korea-Russia Alliance Moves

No Official Speech at Victory Day Parade
Russian Defense Minister Accompanies Throughout Visit

North Korean Minister of Defense Kang Sun-nam, who appeared in place of Chairman of the National Defense Commission Kim Jong-un, stated during the Victory Day (the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice) military parade held on the night of the 27th at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, "The U.S. imperialists do not have the option to use nuclear weapons against us and survive," according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 28th.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Kang said, "The issue is no longer whether a nuclear war will break out on the Korean Peninsula, but who will start it, when, and how," signaling a threat that if the U.S. launches a preemptive nuclear strike on North Korea, the U.S. will be destroyed by North Korea's retaliatory nuclear attack. This statement appears to be a response to the warning from South Korea and the U.S. that "any nuclear attack by North Korea will lead to the end of the North Korean regime."

Chairman Kim Jong-un refrained from speaking publicly not only at the military parade but also during his meetings, luncheon, and banquet with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, even handing over the microphone to Ri Il-hwan, a party secretary, at the 70th anniversary war commemoration report meeting. Since coming to power, Kim Jong-un has delivered speeches at only 5 out of 14 military parades, so skipping the parade speech is not unprecedented.

However, this Victory Day event, which commemorated the 70th anniversary by inviting Russian Defense Minister Shoigu and Li Hongzhong, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, who is equivalent to the Chinese parliament vice-chairman, has drawn some surprise due to Kim’s silence. Despite the high likelihood of delivering messages related to the international situation, including the strengthening of the North Korea-China-Russia alliance and messages directed at the U.S. and South Korea, no direct remarks were conveyed.

Although Kim Jong-un is showing an unusual approach of ‘silent practice,’ analysts predict that he will soon deliver external messages in the manner he desires.

Meanwhile, North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during his visit to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense and security, drawing attention.

North Korean media did not mention specific cooperation measures, but there is speculation that discussions may have included North Korea’s support to Russia with military supplies such as artillery shells amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Ri Pyong-chol, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party, said in his banquet speech, "The armies and peoples of the two countries, North Korea and Russia, are united in ideology and arms to resist the U.S.'s predatory global hegemony strategy, uphold national sovereign rights and development interests, strongly support each other, and jointly protect regional and global peace, security, and international justice."

Defense Minister Shoigu also expressed Russia’s consistent willingness to develop multifaceted cooperation with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

It is very unusual for a foreign envoy to deliver a speech at a political gathering held in North Korea, attracting attention. Chairman Kim Jong-un accompanied the Russian military delegation throughout almost all events during their 2-night, 3-day visit, including a meeting on the 26th, viewing a weapons exhibition, attending a commemorative performance, holding talks and a luncheon on the 27th, as well as attending the commemorative report meeting and military parade.

There is analysis that this move aims to strengthen military and diplomatic cooperation with Russia, which is internationally isolated due to the war in Ukraine, in order to counter the cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.