Kim Jong Un has showed off banned ballistic missiles to Russia’s defence minister during his visit to North Korea.

Sergei Shoigu’s trip coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Korean War’s end, which is referred to in Pyongyang as Victory Day.

He is the first Russian defence minister to enter North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union.

‘Matters of mutual concern’ discussed – live updates

Chinese officials were also part of the delegation, making them the first prominent visitors to the isolated state since the coronavirus pandemic.

All three countries are now pledging to boost ties, united by their rivalry with the US.

Kim’s missiles were banned under UN Security Council resolutions that had initially been adopted with Chinese and Russian support.

The North Korean leader was given a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin – and according to state media, Kim “repeatedly expressed belief that the Russian army and people would achieve big successes in the struggle for building a powerful country.”

And while the KCNA news agency didn’t explicitly refer to the war in Ukraine, North Korean defence minister Kang Sun Nam reportedly said he fully supported Moscow’s “battle for justice”.

Read more on Sky News:
Is India about to legalise gay marriage?
Prisoner’s Shawshank-esque jailbreak

Kim and Shoigu’s tour of ballistic missiles is being regarded as a significant development by analysts, as it suggests that Russia is now accepting of North Korea’s nuclear programme.

Ankit Panda from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace described the tour as “remarkable”, adding: “We’ve come a long way from when North Korea would avoid showing off its nuclear capabilities when senior foreign dignitaries from Russia and China were in town.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

“The personal tour for Shoigu – and Shoigu’s willingness to be photographed with Kim in the course of this tour – is evidence that Moscow is complacent with North Korea’s ongoing nuclear modernisation.”

Other geopolitical experts believe Moscow may support Pyongyang more openly in the future.

Related posts:

China passes ‘patriotic’ plan to vet election candidates in Hong Kong France to ease coronavirus travel restrictions, boosting UK holidaymakers’ hopes Putin: ‘Where is the proof’ we are waging a cyber war against America? Irish basketball chief quits over Raheem Sterling dive jibe Austria to place millions of unvaccinated people into lockdown ‘in days’ as COVID cases surge Novak Djokovic ‘prepared to miss Wimbledon and French Open’ if he is forced to have COVID vaccine Daughter of paramedic captured by Russians meets Harry and Meghan in quest to free mother Images of Russian warship before it sank emerge online – here’s what they tell us How HIMARS and other advanced rocket systems are tipping ‘battle of fires’ in Ukraine’s favour Chess player accused of widespread cheating breaks silence saying he ‘won’t back down’ COP28 climate summit offering multi-million pound sponsorship packages for exclusive access At least 100 people killed after boat capsizes in Nigeria