North Korean troops marched through Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 in Russia’s Victory Day parade, marking the first time Pyongyang’s soldiers have participated in the annual event. Carrying North Korea’s national flag, the troops were applauded by North Korean Ambassador Sin Hong-chol. The parade commemorated the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. The appearance reflects deepening military ties since Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty in June 2024, under which North Korea deployed approximately 15,000 combat troops to support Russia’s war effort.
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North Korea’s servicemen attfinish the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, May 9, during celebrations of the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during the World War II. AP-Yonhap
North Korean troops marched in Russia’s Victory Day military parade held in Moscow on Saturday, according to footage released by Russia’s Tass news agency, in a display of the growing military ties between the two nations.
In footage posted on Tass’ social media accounts, North Korean soldiers were seen marching in formation through Moscow’s Red Square while carrying the North Korean national flag and a banner marking Russia’s Victory Day, which commemorates the Soviet victory over Germany in World War II.
As the North Korean troops appeared in Red Square, North Korean Ambassador to Russia Sin Hong-chol and other officials applauded and welcomed them.
It marked the first time North Korean soldiers have marched alongside Russian troops in the annual Victory Day parade, Tass reported.
Pyongyang deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in the war after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty in June 2024.
Earlier in the day, Kim sent a congratulatory message to Putin on Russia’s Victory Day celebration, reaffirming Pyongyang’s commitment to prioritizing and deepening ties with Moscow.
Kim extfinished his “sincerest congratulations” on the occasion of the 81st Victory Day and expressed satisfaction with the current “brilliant history of indepfinishence, dignity, peace and prosperity” shared by the two countries, according to the North’s Korean Central News Agency.
