Kim Jong Un To Join Putin At Beijing Military Parade

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will travel to Beijing next week to attend China’s Victory Day military parade, marking a rare foreign visit and a significant diplomatic moment. He will stand alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the event on September 3.

This will be the first time a North Korean leader has attended a Chinese military parade since 1959. Kim’s attendance signals deepening ties between Pyongyang, Moscow, and Beijing, especially amid global tensions over Russia’s war in Ukraine and North Korea’s military support for Moscow. The parade, a major showcase of China’s military strength, will feature tens of thousands of troops, advanced weaponry, and aircraft in Tiananmen Square.

China’s foreign ministry praised its “traditional friendship” with North Korea, signalling continued cooperation on regional security. Kim’s participation marks an upgrade from 2015, when North Korea sent a senior official instead. The gathering also comes as former US President Donald Trump signals interest in renewed talks with Kim and a possible summit with Xi, potentially reshaping geopolitical dynamics. Trump recently met South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who has expressed interest in dialogue with the North but faces strong rebukes from Pyongyang. Lee has been invited to the parade, though his attendance remains uncertain. A potential encounter with Kim could carry diplomatic risks if publicly rebuffed.

The guest list reflects China’s growing regional influence, with Southeast Asian leaders attending and minimal Western presence due to opposition to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. This parade underscores China’s strategic partnerships and shifting global alignments.