An alliance, whether of convenience or conviction, will be on display in Beijing next week as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with his Chinese and Russian counterparts. Kim will attend a military parade on Wednesday hosted by Xi Jinping to commemorate the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end, with Vladimir Putin also present.
The gathering’s significance is amplified by who will not be there. Leaders from the U.S. and major Western European nations are boycotting the event over their conflict with Putin concerning Ukraine, leaving the stage open for a demonstration of anti-Western unity.
This visit is Kim’s first to China since 2019, a clear effort to manage his most vital international relationship. With his country’s economy almost entirely dependent on Chinese support, this diplomatic mission is a top priority for ensuring regime stability.
The meeting of the three leaders is a powerful piece of political symbolism. It comes as North Korea deepens its military ties with Russia, and their joint appearance will be interpreted as a public affirmation of a shared strategic outlook.