North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in China for a military parade marking 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II, state media reported Tuesday.
Kim is one of 26 world leaders set to attend Wednesday’s event in Beijing, where he will appear alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It will be the first time all three leaders share the stage at an international gathering.
According to North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun, Kim crossed the border early Tuesday on his armored train, accompanied by senior party officials and government representatives.
Visit comes at sensitive moment
Kim’s trip follows the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where Xi and Putin renewed their criticism of Western influence in global affairs.
North Korea has long relied on China and Russia for support, but ties with Moscow have grown especially close in recent years. Pyongyang has even dispatched troops to assist Russia in its war in Ukraine.
Since taking power in 2011, Kim has met Xi five times — most recently in 2019 — and has held three meetings with Putin. Their latest summit, in June 2024, resulted in a defense pact signed in Pyongyang.
Parade to highlight alliance
China’s parade is expected to showcase its military capabilities and emphasize growing alignment with Russia and North Korea. Analysts say Kim’s presence reinforces the image of a united front against Western pressure as global tensions continue to escalate.
