North Korean ambassadors to China and Russia reportedly returned to North Korea before the birthday anniversary of late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung on Saturday.

According to sources on North Korea on Monday, Ambassador to Moscow Kim Hyung-joon returned to Pyongyang via Beijing last Tuesday, while Ambassador to China Ji Jae-ryong also returned around the same time.

Diplomats in Beijing speculate the envoys missed events celebrating the North Korean founder's birthday held in their respective host countries and returned to Pyongyang in order to report on China and Russia’s stances on the U.S.' hard-line position on the North Korean regime.

A diplomatic source in China said that it is unusual for a North Korean ambassador to miss celebratory events for Kim’s birthday anniversary. 

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