Beijing: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un departed for Beijing by private train to attend a Chinese event marking the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender and the end of World War II, Pyongyang's state media announced early Tuesday. This visit marks Kim's debut on the multilateral diplomatic stage, where he is expected to stand alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a military parade on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Chon-il, director of the North's foreign ministry's press and information department, confirmed Kim's departure on Monday. The visit to the Chinese capital, Kim's first since January 2019, indicates a bid to strengthen traditional ties with China and demonstrate a growing military alignment with Russia. This comes at a time when Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo are intensifying their security cooperation.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong-un, the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, left for Beijing on September 1 to participate in the celebrations. The event commemorates the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Kim is accompanied by senior party and government officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. However, the KCNA did not disclose if his daughter Ju-ae and wife Ri Sol-ju are part of the entourage. Kim will join 26 foreign leaders whom Beijing has invited to the high-profile event, marking his first attendance at a multilateral event, which analysts previously believed Pyongyang might avoid due to its authoritarian governance structure.
The visit comes after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's recent trip to the United States and Japan, where he emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation in response to North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats. The anticipated presence of Kim alongside Xi and Putin may highlight the growing division between geopolitical blocs: the U.S. and its allies versus China and its traditional partners.
Kim's visit is seen as an opportunity for North Korea to reinforce solidarity with China and Russia while attempting to mitigate international isolation. This isolation has been driven by its pursuit of nuclear and missile capabilities, alongside global sanctions against its weapons programs.
Observers suggest that the spectacle of Kim standing with Xi and Putin at a military parade could bolster his position in future negotiations with the U.S., as former President Donald Trump expressed openness to reengaging with the North Korean leader. Additionally, improved relations with China might reduce Pyongyang's reliance on Moscow, as dependence on a single partner could undermine a nation's autonomy.
A source informed Yonhap News Agency that Kim's journey to Beijing commenced on Monday afternoon. The trip, along a 1,300-kilometer route, is expected to take approximately 20 hours. Kim's heavily armored and armed train travels at about 60 km per hour due to its weight and the poor railway conditions on the North Korean side.