North Korean Leader Pledges to Develop Cooperation with China to "New Horizons"

North Korean state media reported on Saturday that "the country's leader Kim Jong Un met with a Chinese delegation visiting Pyongyang to participate in the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, and pledged to develop relations between the two countries and elevate them to 'new horizons'." The Korean Central News Agency stated that "Kim hosted a reception for the Chinese delegation, led by Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party, on Friday. This is the first Chinese delegation to visit North Korea since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic." The agency added: "The talks reaffirmed the stance of both sides and their governments on addressing the complex international situation with their initiatives, promoting friendship and cooperative ties, and reaching new heights together." The meeting followed a military parade on Thursday where officials from China and Russia stood alongside Kim as they showcased the latest nuclear-capable missiles and attack drones in Pyongyang. Russia and China oppose U.S.-led efforts to impose further sanctions on North Korea for its ballistic missile pursuits in recent years, stating that U.S. military exercises in the region have fueled tensions.