Beijing: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stood shoulder to shoulder with Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping at a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, marking the first such meeting among leaders of Pyongyang, Moscow, and Beijing in 66 years. The spectacle of Kim with Putin and Xi at the viewing gallery of Tiananmen Square represents a significant display of trilateral solidarity against Western powers.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the event highlights the first gathering of Kim, Xi, and Putin, leaders known for their defiance of the United States, in a strong signal to the global community about their unity against the U.S.-led unipolar world order. Wearing a black suit and a gold-colored tie, Kim entered Tiananmen Square's red-carpeted main entrance and was warmly welcomed by Xi, who spent more time greeting Kim and Putin than other state leaders, indicating a close relationship.
The three leaders walked side by side to the rostrum, engaging in friendly conversations, marking a historic moment of camaraderie among China, Russia, and North Korea. The parade, which celebrated the 80th anniversary of China's victory over Japan and the end of World War II, showcased China's military might, including its latest weaponry and well-trained troops.
Xi's speech during the parade emphasized China's commitment to peaceful development and building a shared future with the world. Kim's attendance marks his first appearance at an international event, signaling an effort to restore traditionally close ties with China and shed his pariah image. Kim's move is seen as a strategic maneuver to regain China's economic support and strengthen his regime's stability.
The relationship between Kim and Putin has deepened in recent years, with military ties bolstered by bilateral summits and a mutual defense treaty. However, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict eventually concludes, Moscow's focus might shift westward, compelling Kim to seek China's support more earnestly.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) assessed that Kim's visit aims to "expand his room to maneuver by restoring North Korea-China relations" and secure China's economic assistance. There is also speculation that Kim seeks to leverage his relationship with China to strengthen his bargaining position for potential negotiations with the U.S.
South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik is present in Beijing, with attention on whether he will have a rare meeting with Kim, even if briefly. The NIS predicts the possibility of separate summits between Kim, Xi, and Putin, although a three-way summit remains unlikely.
Kim arrived in Beijing the day before the parade on his private armored train, accompanied by his daughter, Ju-ae, who is considered his heir apparent, after a nearly day-long journey.