North Korea’s Leader Kim Jong Un Travels to Beijing Amid High-Profile Parade

Kim Jong Un Heads to Beijing to Attend Parade with Xi and Putin.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled by special train to Beijing on Tuesday to attend a military parade alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media reported. The parade commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and China’s victory over Japan.

This marks Kim’s first major multilateral appearance in 14 years and the first time the three leaders—key challengers of the United States—are expected to appear at the same venue. No official trilateral meeting has been confirmed, though observers are closely watching for potential bilateral or trilateral talks.

KCNA reported that Kim traveled with top officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, and crossed into China via Dandong. This is his first visit to China since 2019 and his fifth visit overall since taking power in 2011.

Putin arrived in Beijing on Sunday for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and the parade. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said a meeting between Putin and Kim “is under consideration.” Analysts also note the possibility of Kim meeting Xi to strengthen ties with China, North Korea’s largest trading partner, amid strained relations in recent years.

North Korea has deepened its partnership with Russia, supplying troops and ammunition in exchange for economic and military support, while increasingly engaging in international diplomacy beyond the Korean Peninsula. Kim’s visit comes as the US and South Korea express renewed interest in restarting talks, but North Korea continues to expand its nuclear and missile programs.

Before departing, Kim inspected a missile research institute to review a new rocket engine made with carbon-fiber composites, intended for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the US mainland.