N. Korea marches in Russia's Victory Day parade in show of military bond: Seoul

SEOUL, May 11 (Yonhap) -- The unification ministry said Monday that North Korea's participation in Russia's Victory Day parade was to display the two nations' deepening military ties. "By marching in Russia's Victory Day parade for the first time, North Korea showed off its military ties with Russia," Yoon Min-ho, the ministry's spokesperson, said at a regular briefing. On Saturday, North Korean troops marched at Red Square in Moscow, carrying their national flag alongside a banner marking Victory Day, which commemorates the Soviet victory over Germany in World War II. "The Korean People's Army combined ground, naval and air forces contingent joined in the Moscow Victory Day Parade," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday, adding that the march took place at Moscow's invitation. Following the parade, Russian President Vladimir Putin met the contingent commander and "expressed his gratitude," the KCNA added. The parade marked the first time North Korean troops have publicly marched on Russian soil in such a ceremony. North Korean troops march in Russia's Victory Day parade at Moscow's Red Square on May 9, 2026, in this Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) photo released the following day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr(END)