While a military parade is the main event, the real stakes of Kim Jong Un’s trip to China next week lie in the backroom discussions and diplomatic signaling. The North Korean leader’s first visit abroad since 2019 is for a ceremony on Wednesday marking the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end.
The parade itself is a piece of political theater, with Russian President Vladimir Putin also attending and Western leaders staying away in protest. This provides the perfect cover for high-level strategic coordination between Beijing, Pyongyang, and Moscow.
For Kim, the primary goal is to secure his country’s economic future by reinforcing his partnership with President Xi Jinping. China’s trade and aid are the bedrock of the North Korean economy, and this visit is a crucial part of maintaining that support.
Beyond economics, the trip is a strategic declaration. By aligning publicly with both China and Russia, especially after aiding Moscow’s war effort, Kim is cementing his place in a new global power structure and signaling his long-term intentions.