China’s premier and the leader of Russia’s ruling party stood side-by-side with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as nuclear missiles rolled through central Pyongyang last week, once again underscoring the DPRK’s strengthened global position with its powerful neighbors at its back.

But these high-profile dignitaries were far from the only foreign guests on hand for the Workers’ Party’s 80th Founding Day festivities, with the presence of representatives from other countries and political parties shining a light on Pyongyang’s efforts to revive ties with its closest ideological partners.

North Korea friendship organizations from dozens of countries sent delegations to the