Kim Jong Un skips Russia's Victory Day, sends only North Korean troops to the parade

[Financial News] Kim Jong Un, the chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, did not attend Russia's Victory Day, a celebration of the two countries' alliance. Instead, he sent North Korean troops to the military parade held for the occasion.
KCNA reported on the 10th that the parade marking the 81st anniversary of the Great Patriotic War victory was held in Red Square in Moscow the previous day, and that, at Russia's invitation, "a joint formation of the Korean People's Army's ground, naval and air forces took part in the Moscow Victory Day parade."
After the parade, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the North Korean military commander who attended and expressed his gratitude. This year's parade in Russia was attended by leaders and senior officials from countries including Robert Fico of Slovakia, as well as the Republic of Belarus, Laos, Malaysia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Putin held talks with representatives from more than 10 countries among this year's attendees. Kim Jong Un, however, was absent from the guest list for this year's Victory Day.
The South Korean government had already expected Kim Jong Un to stay away, as no signs of his attendance had been detected in the days leading up to Victory Day. Kim Jong Un has never attended Russia's Victory Day before.
His possible attendance drew attention this year after he took part in China's Victory over Japan Day ceremony in Beijing on September 3 last year. At last year's Chinese Victory Day parade, Kim Jong Un appeared on the Tiananmen rostrum alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin.
This year's Victory Day parade in Russia was scaled back amid drone threats from Ukraine. Compared with last year's 80th-anniversary event, which drew 27 heads of state including Xi, the scale was significantly reduced. The Kremlin said it did not send special invitations to foreign leaders this year because it was the 81st anniversary.

rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter