Kim Jong Un's China Visit: A Bid to Formalise Ties and Boost International Influence

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to visit China this week, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. This rare step beyond his country's borders could be an attempt to formalise his country's ties with its two main allies and establish a more prominent role on the international stage. Kim's visit comes as China hosts a grand military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, and experts say it could send a visual message to the rest of the world about the trilateral relationship between China, Russia, and North Korea.

Key Takeaways:

• The visit marks a rare step for Kim Jong Un beyond his country's borders, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
• The trip is seen as a bid to formalise ties with Pyongyang's two main allies and play a more prominent role on the international stage, according to experts.
• Nuclear-armed North Korea and Russia have grown closer since Putin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Kim sending weapons and troops to Moscow.
• China is also Pyongyang's other major backer, and has never denounced the Ukraine war – drawing criticism from Western nations.
• The visit could signal an effort by Kim to hedge against Xi's improving ties with South Korea's new president, Lee Jae Myung.
• The trip could lead to future diplomatic wins for Kim, including a possible reciprocal visit by Xi to Pyongyang for a key anniversary in October.

Statistics:

• 26 heads of state are slated to attend the Chinese military parade, including Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin.
• North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military cooperation since 2022, with Kim sending weapons and thousands of troops to help Moscow.
• China's support is essential for aid-dependent North Korea, making it a wise move for Kim to solidify ties with Beijing.

Sources:

• Soo Kim, geopolitical risk consultant and former CIA analyst, as cited in AFP.
• Yang Moo-jin, former president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, as cited in AFP.
• Vladimir Tikhonov, Korean Studies professor at the University of Oslo, as cited in AFP.
• Lim Eul-chul, professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at South Korea's Kyungnam University, as cited in AFP.
• Cheong Seong-chang at Seoul's Sejong Institute, as cited in AFP.