Editor’s note: This is the second article in a multipart series examining the history of North Korea’s relationship with the Soviet Union and Russia and what it reveals about bilateral ties today.

When a Russian military delegation attended a North Korean military parade earlier this year, it appeared to be the strongest confirmation to date that Pyongyang had shifted its attention from Beijing to Moscow.

The pages of the Rodong Sinmun newspaper were filled with articles and photos on Russian defense chief Sergei Shoigu’s activities in the DPRK, while a Chinese political delegation received relatively scant coverage.

Further evidence