Russia Invites North Korean Forces to War Victory Day Military Ceremony Next Year

Russia has invited North Korean military units to a Victory Day event to commemorate the victory of World War II next year amid the possibility of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia next year.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Bellowsov, who is visiting North Korea, reportedly met with Chairman Kim and invited North Korean troops to the 80th anniversary of the Victory Day military parade to be held at Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on May 9 next year.

Russia holds a Victory Day event at Red Square on May 9 every year to commemorate the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II in 1945.

The highlight is a large-scale military parade that shows off its military power by showcasing various Russian military units and weapons.

In particular, next year marks the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, so Russia has announced that it will hold a big event.

Since the launch of Ukraine's "special military operation" in February 2022, Russia's Victory Day events have been held in a somewhat shrinking form.

Russia has invited only VIPs from friendly countries who do not participate in sanctions against the country, and the amount of weapons mobilized for the military parade is said to be small compared to previous years.

However, as Russian forces continue to advance on the Ukrainian front and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who is not active in supporting Ukraine and seeks a quick end to the war, is expected to change the atmosphere next year.

European leaders will also attend next year's Victory Day.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, who has close ties to Russia, and pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Picho of Slovakia said they will attend Russia's Victory Day event in May next year.

Hungarian Prime Minister Orban Viktor, another pro-Russian European leader, is expected to be absent.

Hungary's prime minister's office says Orban's attendance at Russia's Victory Day is not being considered because the meaning of the end of World War II to Hungarians is different from that of other warring countries, according to Tas news agency.

Hungary fought Soviet forces in World War II in support of Nazi Germany.

Also, Vietnamese President and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received invitations to attend Russia's Victory Day next year.

Vladimir Putin invited the leaders of the member states to next year's Victory Day at the CSTO summit, a former Soviet military security consultative body, on the 28th.

He said troops from CSTO member states are also invited to the Red Square military parade.

As Russia has also invited North Korean troops to the military parade, there is a possibility that Chairman Kim will lead North Korean troops to Moscow on Victory Day.

At the North Korea-Russia summit in Pyongyang in June, President Putin told Chairman Kim that he would "wait for a return visit to Moscow."

Russia signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" in June with North Korea, which actively supports Ukraine's special military operation.

North Korea, which is suspected of providing weapons and troops to Russia, can establish itself as a solid ally of Russia if it participates in the military parade.

Next year marks the 80th anniversary of Russia's Victory Day and the 80th anniversary of North Korea's liberation (liberation of the motherland).

Minister Bellowsov emphasized that friendship and cooperation between the two sides were strengthened through liberation in 1945 and the 1950-1953 Korean War in Pyongyang.

Until now, the Victory Day has been considered one of the opportunities for Chairman Kim to visit Moscow.

If the North Korean military's invitation to the military parade is also accepted, Chairman Kim will appear to be leading the military.

However, there is a possibility that Chairman Kim will not prefer it because it is difficult to expect intensive bilateral meetings between the leaders of North Korea and Russia at the Victory Day event where the leaders of several countries gather.

The prospects for the timing of the visit have also been divided as variables such as the recent escalation of the war situation in Ukraine and the possibility of Trump's inauguration and peace negotiations in January next year have emerged.

Before Trump's inauguration as the U.S. president changes the situation in Ukraine rapidly, it is expected that Kim could hurry to visit Russia and reaffirm solid relations between North Korea and Russia.

In this case, before the inauguration of the U.S. president in January next year or February, which marks the third anniversary of the special military operation, will be mentioned as the possible time to visit Russia.

On the other hand, some analysts say that after waiting for Russia to successfully complete the situation in Ukraine, Chairman Kim may visit Russia and present a bill demanding as much price as possible for supporting special military operations.

However, some point out that Russia's declaration of the end of the war could weaken President Putin's willingness to meet with Chairman Kim as North Korea's strategic value declines.