Kim Jong Un to Join Putin at Military Parade in Beijing

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is planning a trip to China for the military parade on September 3, joining other world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As reported by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on Thursday, Kim “will soon visit the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of Xi Jinping” for the 80th anniversary commemorations of the conclusion of World War II. China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency has also confirmed Kim’s forthcoming visit.

The parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II is an important event for Chinese President Xi, who will play a significant role in the celebrations in Tiananmen Square.

“China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors, connected by mountains,” remarked Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei during a Thursday briefing, referencing North Korea by its official title. “China is ready to work with the DPRK to enhance exchanges and cooperation, and promote socialist development.”

For many years, Beijing has been North Korea’s primary ally, providing crucial support that has prevented the North Korean economy from failing. The US and its allies have consistently called on Beijing to use its influence to curb Kim’s nuclear ambitions.

Kim and Xi have not had a face-to-face meeting since June 2019, when the Chinese leader traveled to Pyongyang and advocated for denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. Before that, Kim made four trips to Beijing within ten months, seeking China’s support to renew relations with the US and South Korea.

Russian Relations

In recent years, North Korea has bolstered its ties with Russia. US and South Korean officials allege that Pyongyang has supplied weapons and personnel to assist Moscow in its efforts against Ukraine. This upcoming visit will be Kim’s first trip abroad since his discussions with Putin in 2023 and his first to China since January 2019.

Kim’s presence alongside Putin and Xi is anticipated to underscore the strengthening alliances among the three leaders and signal a readiness to collaborate openly against US-led global standards. For Kim, this journey elevates North Korea’s diplomatic standing, offering Pyongyang a seat among some of the world’s most influential leaders.

Xinhua released a comprehensive list on Thursday of 26 foreign heads of state and government expected to attend the event, which includes leaders from Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Belarus, Iran, Serbia, and Slovakia. South Korea will be represented by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik.

Nonetheless, Pyongyang’s tightening relationship with Moscow poses challenges for Xi. He has sought to remain neutral regarding the Ukraine conflict while also improving ties with the US and its allies. With China’s ailing economy, which is heavily dependent on exports, Xi has a vested interest in ensuring stable external relations.

The announcement of Kim’s visit comes after President Donald Trump’s recent statement expressing his wish to meet with the North Korean leader this year, highlighting their “very good relationship.”

Trump met with Kim three times during his first term, but those discussions did not persuade the North Korean leader to scale back his nuclear arsenal.

© 2025 Bloomberg

Stay updated with Moneyweb’s in-depth finance and business news on WhatsApp here.