Kim Jong Un is stepping out onto the international stage for the first time in years with a high-stakes diplomatic mission to China. The North Korean leader will travel to Beijing next week to attend a military parade on Wednesday marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The parade’s diplomatic landscape is defined by a clear East-West divide. Russian President Vladimir Putin will also be a guest of honor, while leaders from the U.S. and major European nations will be conspicuously absent in protest of his presence.
This trip is of paramount importance for North Korea’s stability. With China accounting for about 97% of its foreign trade, Kim’s visit is a calculated effort to reinforce the economic and political ties that are essential for his government’s survival.
The meeting of Kim, Xi, and Putin in Beijing is also a signal of a broader strategic realignment. It comes as North Korea deepens its military support for Russia, and their joint appearance will be seen as a public declaration of a united front.
