In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech at a meeting held during Dec. 23 until Dec. 27, 2024, in Pyongyang, North Korea. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit China next week for a major military parade. This will be his first trip to Beijing in six years and his first multilateral gathering with world leaders since taking power in 2011.
A Historic Return to China
Kim’s attendance comes at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The event marks the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end and China’s resistance against Japanese aggression. The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that 26 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, will join the parade.
Hong Lei, China’s assistant foreign minister, emphasized the importance of the visit. He stated that China remains committed to strengthening its “traditional friendship” with North Korea.
Why the Parade Matters
The Beijing parade is expected to showcase China’s latest military technology and include a keynote speech by Xi Jinping. It will be one of the most high-profile international events of the year.
Alongside Kim and Putin, leaders from Iran, Belarus, Serbia, Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Malaysia will attend. However, no leaders from the U.S. or major Western European nations are expected, mainly due to tensions with Russia over the Ukraine conflict.
Kim’s First Multilateral Stage
If realized, the trip will be Kim’s first international appearance at a multilateral event. Since inheriting leadership after his father’s death in 2011, Kim has met world leaders like Xi, Putin, Donald Trump, and former South Korean President Moon Jae-in. But all of those meetings were one-on-one.
Between 2018 and 2019, Kim traveled to China four times to meet Xi. Yet, relations between the two countries have sometimes appeared strained, especially after North Korea strengthened ties with Russia in recent years.
North Korea Balancing China and Russia
North Korea has been sending weapons and manpower to Russia in exchange for economic and military aid. However, experts note that Pyongyang cannot rely solely on Moscow.
China remains North Korea’s most important economic lifeline. In 2023, about 97% of North Korea’s external trade was with China, compared to just 1.2% with Russia. For Kim, attending the Beijing parade is seen as a move to repair and deepen ties with Xi.
A Step Toward Economic Revival
Observers believe Kim’s China visit signals an effort to stabilize North Korea’s struggling economy. With international sanctions and heavy reliance on Russia, North Korea faces limits in sustaining its growth. Strengthening economic cooperation with Beijing could help the regime recover.
Ewha Womans University professor Leif-Eric Easley explained the strategy clearly: “To re-engage Trump from a position of strength, Kim seeks to repair relations with Xi, and attending the parade in Beijing is a highly visible way of doing that.”
Possible Diplomatic Signals to Washington
The visit could also hold implications for U.S.–North Korea diplomacy. Former President Donald Trump has often highlighted his personal rapport with Kim and expressed interest in resuming talks.
During his presidency, Trump met Kim three times between 2018 and 2019. Their meetings, including one at the Korean Demilitarized Zone, drew global attention but eventually collapsed over disputes regarding sanctions relief.
Since then, Kim has advanced North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, carrying out several weapons tests. However, analysts suggest Pyongyang may return to talks if it sees a chance for greater concessions from Washington.
Strengthening Ties, Seeking Leverage
For Kim Jong Un, the Beijing parade offers more than symbolism. It provides a platform to strengthen his partnership with China, balance relations with Russia, and send signals to the U.S.
While Russia remains a useful partner in the short term, Beijing’s political and economic influence is far greater. By repairing ties with Xi, Kim could position himself more strongly for future negotiations, both regionally and internationally.
Looking Ahead
As the world watches the Beijing parade, attention will be on Kim’s interactions with Xi, Putin, and other leaders. His rare foreign visit highlights the importance North Korea places on reviving its economic ties and improving its diplomatic standing.
For Kim, the event is more than a celebration of history. It is a chance to reassert North Korea’s presence on the global stage and secure much-needed support for the regime’s future.
