Kim Jong Un Joins Xi and Putin in Beijing, Bolstering Alliances and Advancing ICBM Program
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Beijing for a military parade with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, aiming to strengthen alliances against Washington and restore ties with China, following a review of new ICBM engine development.
PBS NewsHourNorth Korea's Kim Jong Un arrives in China for military parade alongside Putin and Xi
New York Daily NewsNorth Korea’s Kim Jong Un arrives in Beijing for military parade alongside Putin and Xi
Boston HeraldNorth Korea’s Kim Jong Un arrives in Beijing for military parade alongside Putin and Xi
The GuardianNorth Korea’s Kim Jong-un to arrive in Beijing for military parade on special armoured train
Overview
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Beijing by train, his first visit since 2019, to attend a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of WWII's end.
Kim Jong Un joined Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the event, aiming to strengthen partnerships and align against Washington.
The visit aims to restore strained relations with China, a vital trading partner, and reinforce North Korea's foreign policy priority on Russia, a recipient of its military support.
Observers anticipate potential bilateral and trilateral meetings between the three leaders, as North Korea continues to supply military aid to Russia.
Before his trip, Kim reviewed a new carbon-fiber rocket engine for next-generation intercontinental ballistic missiles, capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the potential for a "three-way unity against the United States" among North Korea, China, and Russia. They consistently interpret Kim Jong Un's visit through the lens of geopolitical rivalry, highlighting North Korea's military support for Russia and its efforts to expand its diplomatic footing as part of a "united front against Washington."