World reacts to 'horrifying' detail in North Korean military parade
Russian and Chinese officials appearing at the military parade marks a notable shift.
Just over 20 years ago former US president George W. Bush coined the term "axis of evil" to refer to a trio of countries the United States thought posed a grave risk to the interests of the Western world.
He was referring to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea when he first used the moniker in a 2002 State of the Union address some five months after the 9/11 attacks, and it would be a term he would go on to use frequently throughout his presidency.
Today it looks as if a new – and a far more powerful – trio of countries is undeniably lining up against the US and its allies like Australia. It's a grim reality that was quietly reinforced this week.
Chinese and Russian officials stood shoulder to shoulder with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as they reviewed his newest nuclear-capable missiles and attack drones at a military parade in the capital of the so-called Hermit Kingdom, North Korean state media showed on Friday (local time).
The widely anticipated parade in Pyongyang the previous day commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, celebrated in North Korea as "Victory Day".
The sight of top Russian and Chinese brass alongside the Korean dictator in such a fashion is not exactly a common sight. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's visit was the first by Moscow's top defence official since the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union. Meanwhile the Chinese delegation was the first since the Covid pandemic.
And it marks a notable shift from Russia and China, who have grown increasingly close in recent years through their shared opposition to the US, seemingly solidifying a relationship Liberal MP Andrew Hastie recently described as "a strange new monster".
Horrifying 'endorsement' of nuclear provocation
Their appearance at events with the North's nuclear-capable missiles – banned by the UN Security Council with Chinese and Russian support – was in contrast from previous years, when Beijing and Moscow sought to distance themselves from their neighbour's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development.
Professor Rory Medcalf, the Head of National Security College at the Australian National University, was among the many international commentators to express unease at the scenes in North Korea.
"Horrifyingly stark endorsement from Beijing and Moscow for nuclear proliferation and provocation," he tweeted on Sunday morning alongside a clip of the parade.
Kim, Shoigu and Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong talked, laughed and saluted as North Korean troops marched and weapons rolled past, photographs and footage aired by North Korean state media showed.
The parade included North Korea's latest Hwasong-17 and Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to the KCNA state news agency. They are believed to have the range to strike anywhere in the United States.
The event also featured a flyover by new attack and spy drones, KCNA reported.
North Korean dictator vows solidarity with Russia
Kim hosted a reception and lunch with Shoigu and vowed solidarity with Russia's people and military. Shoigu praised the North Korean military as the strongest in the world, and the two discussed strategic security and defence cooperation, KCNA said.
At another meeting, Shoigu read a congratulatory message from Russian President Vladimir Putin who thanked North Korea for its support during the "special military operation" in Ukraine, media reported.
The United States has accused North Korea of providing weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Thursday (local time) the US was "incredibly concerned" about their ties.
North Korean Defence Minister General Kang Sun Nam, in a speech at the parade, accused the United States and its allies of increasing tension in the region.
North Korea has been under UN sanctions for its missile and nuclear programmes since 2006. It is banned from developing ballistic missiles.
In recent years Russia and China have opposed US-led efforts to impose more sanctions on North Korea over its pursuit of ballistic missiles, arguing existing measures should be eased for humanitarian purposes and to help entice it to negotiate.
The Chinese and Russian presence – both permanent members of the UN Security Council – at events with banned missiles cast doubts on their willingness to enforce sanctions, observers warned.
with Reuters
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