Regarding Kim's Attendance at the Victory Day Parade:
"Invitation to Visit Russia Remains Valid"
Russia avoided making specific comments on the possibility of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un attending the May military parade commemorating Russia's victory in World War II, stating that "no statement is ready to be announced."
According to foreign media including TASS on the 24th, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, said at a briefing that when asked whether "Chairman Kim will attend the 80th anniversary Victory Day parade on May 9," Kim Jong-un "has a valid invitation to visit Russia," and "the schedule will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels." He added, "So far, no statement is ready to be announced."
Previously, in June last year, Chairman Kim received an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who visited North Korea, to visit Moscow.
On the 15th, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, who visited North Korea, met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and others to discuss high-level and top-level political contacts. There was speculation that Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia might have been discussed at this meeting. On the 21st, Sergey Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council and a close aide to President Putin, met Kim Jong-un in North Korea and delivered a message from President Putin, raising the possibility that the timing of a North Korea-Russia summit was being coordinated.
Meanwhile, Russia is preparing for the 80th anniversary Victory Day parade this year by inviting friendly country leaders and military forces, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. The North Korean military is also expected to participate in this year's parade.
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