North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Beijing by train on Tuesday to attend a military parade alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a gathering that could highlight a show of unity between the three leaders, all seen as key challengers to US influence.The parade, scheduled for Wednesday at Tiananmen Square, commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and China’s resistance against Japan’s wartime occupation. Kim’s presence marks the first time in his 14-year rule that he will participate in a major multilateral event, AP reported.Upon arrival, Kim was greeted at Beijing’s railway station by senior Chinese officials. North Korea’s state-run KCNA reported that Kim expressed gratitude to Xi and his government for the “cordial hospitality.”China’s state news agency Xinhua released photos of a smiling Kim in a black suit and red tie, stepping off his armored train. This is Kim’s fifth trip to China since 2011 and his first since 2019, reflecting a possible effort to restore ties that have recently cooled.
Key US challengers in one frame
While no trilateral meeting has been officially confirmed, the parade is the first occasion where Kim, Xi, and Putin will appear together in the same venue. Russia’s Tass news agency reported that a bilateral meeting between Kim and Putin is “under consideration.” South Korean officials also believe Kim could hold one-on-one talks with both Putin and Xi during his stay.South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), in a closed-door briefing to lawmakers, said Kim is expected to receive “special protocol and security measures” similar to those given to Putin. Kim may even stand alongside Xi and Putin on the rostrum during the parade, according to lawmaker Lee Seong Kweun.
The budding friendship
In recent years, Russia has become Kim’s top foreign policy priority, with North Korea supplying thousands of troops and ammunition to aid Moscow’s war in Ukraine. South Korean intelligence estimates that around 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia since last year, with some 2,000 reported dead in combat.North Korea has also agreed to send construction workers and deminers to Russia’s Kursk region, with around 1,000 already on the ground, according to the NIS. In exchange, Moscow is believed to be offering economic aid and military assistance to Pyongyang.However, analysts say Kim now seeks to rebuild ties with China, North Korea’s largest trading partner and aid provider. Strengthening relations with Beijing could help Pyongyang secure long-term stability once the Russia-Ukraine war winds down.According to AP, experts say Kim’s presence at the Beijing parade is not just symbolic but also a step to position North Korea as part of a broader anti-US bloc. By engaging with leaders and dignitaries from more than two dozen countries, Kim may seek to expand Pyongyang’s diplomatic partnerships beyond its traditional allies.
