Kim Jong-un Arrives in Beijing for China's Military Parade

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, marking his fifth visit to China since assuming power in 2011. The train carrying Kim arrived near Beijing Railway Station at around 4 p.m. local time, accompanied by Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and other officials. Kim will stand alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Wednesday's military parade, which will be attended by dozens of state leaders. This marks Kim's multilateral diplomatic debut, and he may also hold separate summits with both leaders on the sidelines.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kim Jong-un's train arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, nearly a day after departing Pyongyang, accompanied by Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and other officials.
  • Kim will stand "side by side" with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Wednesday's military parade, marking his multilateral diplomatic debut.
  • Kim may hold separate summits with both leaders on the sidelines of the military parade.
  • This marks Kim's fifth visit to China since assuming power in late 2011.
  • The military parade will be attended by dozens of state leaders, including those from Russia and China.
  • Kim and Putin will be seated, with Putin to Kim's right and Xi to his left, in a move that sends a strong signal about their strengthening trilateral solidarity.
  • Kim's visit is seen as a significant step in building trilateral ties between North Korea, China, and Russia.

Statistics:

  • Kim Jong-un's visit marks his fifth trip to China since assuming power in 2011.
  • The military parade will be attended by over 50 state leaders, including those from Russia and China.
  • The parade will celebrate the 80th anniversary of "victory" over Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.
  • Kim Jong-un's train traveled nearly an entire day to reach Beijing, arriving at around 4 p.m. local time.

Sources:

  • Yonhap News Agency, September 2, 2025
  • Tass news agency
  • Kremlin spokesperson (no date)
  • Seoul's National Intelligence Service (no date)
  • Russian reports (no date)