Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has marked the anniversary of the Korean War armistice by visiting the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, vowing not to forget the contributions of fallen Chinese soldiers. This gesture, reported by state media on Sunday, underscores the historical ties between North Korea and China, without any critical remarks against South Korea or the United States.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Jong-un laid a wreath at the Friendship Tower, which was erected in 1959 to commemorate the contributions of Chinese soldiers in the Korean War and symbolize North Korea-China friendship. Kim stated that North Korea "would never forget the militant feats and merits of the fallen fighters of the Chinese People's Volunteers," as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The Korean War armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, effectively halting the conflict. North Korea has celebrated this date as Victory Day since 1996, claiming it won the Liberation War against U.S.-led aggression. While Kim has regularly paid tribute at the tower on past anniversaries, this year's report notably omitted any mentions of North Korea's bilateral ties with China, indicating possible strains in relations.
North Korea's relationship with China, its traditional ally and economic supporter, has appeared strained, particularly after Pyongyang developed closer ties with Russia, signing a mutual defense pact in June last year. Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies, suggests that by minimizing mentions of China, North Korea aims to demonstrate its diplomatic and military autonomy.
The KCNA also reported that Kim visited the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang, where he placed a flower basket before a statue of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung. During the visit, Kim praised the victory in the war as a testament to the founder's military ideology and strategy, emphasizing North Korea's goal of building a strong, prosperous nation.
Despite the occasion, Kim did not make any hostile remarks towards the United States or South Korea. He also met with servicemen from the Korean People's Army's 4th Corps, commending their adherence to the Party's training-first policy. Celebratory events in Pyongyang included an evening dance party by young students at Kim Il Sung Square, as reported by the KCNA.