Secretary of Defense Russia finishes visiting North Korea for two days and one night...Invite North Korean troops to Victory Day

[Anchor]
The Russian defense minister, who visited North Korea even during the war in Ukraine, left Pyongyang after a two-day visit to North Korea.

It is speculated that the issue of sending additional North Korean troops may have been discussed, and Russia has invited North Korean troops to next year's Victory Day event to commemorate World War II victory.

I'm reporter Lee Jong Won.

[Reporter]
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Bellowsov inspects the North Korean military's honorary guard under the guidance of North Korean Defense Minister Noh Kwang-chul.

He left Pyongyang Sunan Airport after a two-day visit to North Korea, and North Korea's hospitality continued until his return home.

Minister Bellowsov, who visited the liberation tower in memory of the Soviet army and visited Mangyongdae, the birthplace of Kim Il-sung, also met with Chairman Kim Jong-un in person.

[Chosun Central TV: Comrade Kim Jong-un said that it was direct military intervention in the conflict that caused the U.S. and the West to attack Russian territory with their own long-range strike weapons....]

In particular, Minister Bellowsov conveyed his intention to invite North Korean troops to the 80th anniversary of the Victory Day military parade to be held at Moscow's Red Square on May 9 next year.

Russia's Victory Day commemorates the Soviet Union's victory in World War II in 1945, and a large-scale military parade showing off its military power is considered the highlight.

The invitation is drawing more attention because it was proposed in the face of North Korean troops' dispatch to Russia and the possibility of Chairman Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia next year.

[Cho Han-beom / Senior Researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification]: There is a possibility of declaring victory in the special military operation of the Russian War and having a splendid military parade. If Putin and Kim Jong-un are seen together at the delegation of the presidency, they can strengthen the relationship between the two sides and show off both internally and externally....]

Against this backdrop, North Korean media reported that the North Korea-Russia Defense Ministers' Meeting discussed strengthening militant unity and strategic and tactical cooperation between the two countries' armed forces.

Although details of the consultation have not been disclosed, analysts say that military cooperation measures such as North Korea's additional dispatch of troops, weapons aid, and Russia's payment may have been discussed.

[Lee Ho-ryeong / Director of the Center for Security Strategy at the Institute of Defense] (YTN24): (Russia) should be all-in on building an environment of victory that makes Ukraine forced to come to negotiations in this war situation before January 20th when the Trump administration takes office.]

At the same time, some analysts say that joint drills between North Korea and Russia could become visible over Chairman Kim's remarks on Minister Bellowsov's visit to North Korea that it will serve as an opportunity to greatly contribute to strengthening the defense capabilities and guaranteeing security of both countries.

I'm YTN's Lee Jong Won.