Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, will attend the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan (Victory Day), which will be held in Beijing, China, on September 3.
Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea (Korean Central TV screen). Photo by Yonhap News
On the morning of August 28, the Korean Central News Agency announced, "Comrade Kim Jong Un will visit the People's Republic of China to attend the 80th anniversary event commemorating the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War." The report also stated that this visit to China is at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Around the same time as North Korea's announcement, the Chinese government also officially confirmed Kim's visit. Hong Lei, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, released the list of 26 heads of state scheduled to attend the 80th Victory Day anniversary event during a briefing on the preparations. Kim Jong Un was included on this list. In addition, it was announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as leaders from Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, and Malaysia, will also attend.
From South Korea, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik is expected to attend.
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