Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s supreme leader, confirms his attendance at a military parade in China, surprising the international community. The event, which celebrates the 80th anniversary of the country’s victory over Japan in World War II, is scheduled for September 3rd in Beijing, with dozens of world leaders in attendance. This is Kim’s first official visit to the country since 2019 and marks a rare move in North Korea’s foreign policy. Read more about this subject.
The historical importance of the parade date in Beijing
This parade, which will take place in Beijing, has significant symbolic and political significance for the country. This year will mark eight decades since the Japanese surrender in 1945, ending the Japanese occupation of China and part of Korea. This event, which will also bring together Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, aims to reaffirm the historical memory of the event, reinforcing China’s role as a great power.
This is intended to be a grand celebration, and as such, it will feature over 10,000 soldiers, 100 aircraft, and state-of-the-art weaponry — including drones and missile systems. Furthermore, a retrospective is expected to honor the past, as a showcase of China’s current military power.
Within this context, the presence of important political figures, especially Kim Jong-un, takes on even greater symbolic weight. This is because, during the war, the Chinese and North Koreans fought side by side against the Japanese occupation. The company of the current supreme leader of North Korea forces the gesture of this narrative of friendship and historical cooperation between the two peoples.
A rare diplomatic step by Kim Jong-un
Kim’s decision to participate in the event in China, despite the symbolic importance of the date, has drawn international attention due to the political message behind the gesture. Kim is known for his isolation from the international scene, which means his travels and meetings with political figures are limited to strategic moments. Since 2011, the year he assumed power in North Korea, Kim has made only 11 visits abroad, the most recent being to Russia.
Now, Kim will make his fifth visit to Beijing, the first in six years. This meeting will be different from previous ones, as it will feature heads of state from several countries, and this represents Kim’s first time at a collective diplomatic meeting.
A strategic alliance in the making that could rock the world
International analysts emphasize that, in addition to strengthening ties with Xi Jinping, the North Korean leader has sought to demonstrate that he is not isolated, as a way of reaffirming his power as a central figure in the Asian geopolitical scenario.
In recent years, North Korea has been growing closer to countries like China and Russia, and this meeting in Beijing solidifies a kind of “strategic triangle” with these countries, especially in light of global tensions. For China, the presence of Kim and Putin symbolizes the formation of a bloc of resistance against Western pressure. For North Korea, this new alliance could represent political support and even technological and military assistance. This trip will be important and could indicate new directions for strategic cooperation between North Korea, China, and Russia.
What can we expect from Kim Jong-un attending this political meeting?
With Kim Jong-un’s trip to China, we may see something bigger than a military parade; it will be an important moment of strategic repositioning for the North Korean leader amid changes in the international landscape. This event will strengthen the historic ties between China and North Korea, as well as strengthen relations with Russia. The prospect of this meeting for the global community, seeing major political figures gathered together, could be interpreted as a clear sign of shifting alliances.