North Korea sends military delegation to China’s major security conference



News North Korea sends military delegation to China’s major security conference Visit marks first North Korean vice minister-level delegation to Xiangshan Forum since 2019, as DPRK-China ties deepen Shreyas Reddy September 16, 2026 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A North Korean delegation led by Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il departed Pyongyang on Sept. 15 to attend the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. \| Image: KCNA (Sept. 16, 2026) North Korea has dispatched a defense ministry delegation to Beijing for China’s flagship annual security conference for the first time in seven years, in the latest sign of warming military ties between the two neighbors. The delegation, led by Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il, left Pyongyang on Tuesday to attend the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday. Officials from the North Korean defense ministry and the Chinese embassy saw the group off at Pyongyang International Airport, the report added. The visit marks the first time since 2019 Pyongyang dispatched a delegation to the Xiangshan © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

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North Korea sends military delegation to China’s major security conference

Visit marks first North Korean vice minister-level delegation to Xiangshan Forum since 2019, as DPRK-China ties deepen

Shreyas Reddy September 16, 2026

North Korea sends military delegation to China’s major security conference

A North Korean delegation led by Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il departed Pyongyang on Sept. 15 to attend the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. | Image: KCNA (Sept. 16, 2026)

North Korea has dispatched a defense ministry delegation to Beijing for China’s flagship annual security conference for the first time in seven years, in the latest sign of warming military ties between the two neighbors.

The delegation, led by Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il, left Pyongyang on Tuesday to attend the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday.

Officials from the North Korean defense ministry and the Chinese embassy saw the group off at Pyongyang International Airport, the report added.

The visit marks the first time since 2019 Pyongyang dispatched a delegation to the Xiangshan

North Korea sends military delegation to China’s major security conference

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