"Kim Jong Un's Provocative Display: Banned Missiles Revealed to Russian Minister"

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un showcased banned ballistic missiles to Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu during a defence exhibition, as the two countries pledged to strengthen ties. The visit by Shoigu, the first by a Russian defence minister since the breakup of the Soviet Union, marks North Korea's first major opening to the world since the COVID-19 pandemic. The display of nuclear-capable missiles, banned under UN Security Council resolutions, served as a backdrop for a show of solidarity between North Korea, Russia, and China, united by their rivalry with the US. The visit raises the prospect of more open support for North Korea, particularly as Russia faces isolation over its invasion of Ukraine.