Analysis The 70th anniversary of the DPRK: celebrations and diplomacyChinese delegate sits front and center, but signs of enduring differences remain Yesterday, on September 9, North Korea celebrated the official 70th anniversary of its birth. The celebrations were attended by a number of international guests, including Li Zhanshu and Valentina Matvienko – each holding the third-most powerful positions in China and Russia’s state hierarchies. NK Pro’s findings on the issue can be summarized as follows: Xi Jinping did not attend the celebrations, showing that Sino-North Korean relations are not in perfect shape. The DPRK refrained from showing ICBMs during the parade, understanding that it would cause harm to its image of a power “committed” to disarmament. At© Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. |