Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un departed Pyongyang on Monday afternoon on his special armored train, with expectations high for his appearance at a military parade in Beijing. Kim's journey marks his debut on the multilateral diplomatic stage, a significant event for the leader since assuming power in late 2011.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's train is set to cross the North Korea-China border overnight, with an arrival in Beijing anticipated the following day. The trip from Pyongyang to Beijing usually spans 20 to 24 hours. Kim will join Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders from 26 other foreign countries at the parade, which commemorates the 80th anniversary of World War II's end, celebrated in China as a victory over Japan.
This will be the first time Kim attends a multilateral diplomatic event, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, who participated in a Beijing military parade in 1959. Kim's attendance could pave the way for a potential three-way meeting with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reports suggest that during the parade, Kim will be seated on Xi's left, while Putin will be on his right.
There is also speculation about a possible trilateral summit on the sidelines of the event. If held, it would be the first meeting involving the leaders of North Korea, Russia, and China, whose ties date back to the Cold War era. Kim's participation comes shortly after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump expressed intentions to resume diplomacy with Kim during their recent summit in Washington.
Kim's presence at the parade and the potential trilateral talks with Xi and Putin suggest a strategic move away from engaging in diplomacy with Seoul or Washington. The event occurs as the United States aims to modernize its alliances, including with South Korea, to counter China's increasing influence worldwide.
In recent years, Kim and Putin have strengthened military ties, evidenced by bilateral summits and a mutual defense treaty signed last year. This partnership has led to North Korea's support for Moscow's military efforts in Ukraine. Kim's decision to attend the parade may indicate an effort to mend strained ties with China, following Pyongyang's closer alignment with Moscow.
Experts believe North Korea may be leveraging Kim's visit to China in anticipation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict's resolution, which could shift Moscow's focus. Others suggest that Kim's attendance aims to bolster North Korea's bargaining position before potential negotiations with the U.S. resume.