The North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang, according to state media today Thursday, marking the first foreign guest to visit North Korea since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The North Korean news agency reported that the meeting "represents an important opportunity to develop strategic and traditional relations between Korea and Russia, in accordance with the requirements of the new century."

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that a Russian delegation led by Minister Sergei Shoigu will visit North Korea this week and will join a Chinese group in a public visit, the first of its kind to the country since the beginning of the Corona pandemic.

The Korean Central News Agency also mentioned that the two delegations will visit the country on the sidelines of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of "Victory Day" on Thursday in the capital Pyongyang, with the Chinese group headed by Chinese Communist Party member Li Hongzhong.

The Russian Defense Ministry indicated that it received an invitation from its North Korean counterpart and will participate in the Victory Day events.

It is also expected that the celebration ceremonies will include a large military parade in the capital of North Korea.