Russian Defense Minister To Visit North Korea This Week, Pyongyang Says

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will visit North Korea for Korean War armistice anniversary celebrations, Pyongyang's state media said on July 25, a sign it appears to be reopening its borders to high-level visitors after a lengthy pandemic closure. "A military delegation of the Russian Federation led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will pay a congratulatory visit to the DPRK," the Korean Central News Agency said, a day after it confirmed a Chinese delegation would also attend the event on July 27.