Seoul - In a statement issued by North Korea's state media on Thursday, it was revealed that a delegation from China, headed by Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong, is set to visit North Korea to participate in the celebrations marking the nation's 75th founding anniversary, scheduled for this Saturday.

This development has raised speculations about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's potential visit to Russia in the near future. Such a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin could focus on advancing discussions regarding North Korean arms sales, a move aimed at replenishing Russian resources depleted by its involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

The official Korean Central News Agency of Pyongyang announced that Liu's delegation has been invited by North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, but it did not provide details about the specific events the Chinese officials would participate in or whether they would meet with Kim.

Earlier this week, a U.S. official mentioned the expectation of Kim's visit to Russia later this month as the Kremlin seeks military equipment for its role in the Ukraine conflict. There are reports suggesting that this meeting might take place as soon as next week in Vladivostok, Russia, where Putin is expected to attend an annual economic forum running from Sunday to Wednesday.

In return for providing Russia with artillery shells and other ammunition, North Korea might seek essential energy and food aid along with advanced weapons technology. Analysts have expressed concerns that any potential transfer of Russian technology could heighten the threat posed by Kim's expanding arsenal of nuclear weapons and missiles, designed to target the United States and its Asian allies, South Korea and Japan.

Amid escalating nuclear tensions involving Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo, Kim has been actively enhancing his partnerships with Moscow and Beijing to reduce diplomatic isolation and position Pyongyang as part of a united front against the United States.

In July, Kim invited delegations led by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong to a large military parade in Pyongyang, during which he unveiled his most formidable weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles intended for targeting the U.S. mainland.

Ahead of the parade, Kim accompanied Shoigu on a tour of a domestic arms exhibition, underscoring North Korea's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and adding to suspicions that North Korea may be willing to supply arms to Russia.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, speaking at a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Wednesday, urged all United Nations member states to fulfill their sanctions obligations, as outlined in existing Security Council resolutions aimed at limiting North Korea's nuclear capabilities. These resolutions include a ban on arms trade with North Korea. The statement from Yoon's office did not specify whether Russia was specifically mentioned while expressing these concerns.