Kim Jong Un’s attendance at China’s Victory Day event on Wednesday, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Anti-Japanese War and the World Anti-Fascist War, alongside Chinese and Russian leaders, symbolically suggests a potential shift in North Korea’s diplomatic strategy.
Kim stood with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin atop Tiananmen Gate, observing the Victory Day parade.
Positioned to Xi’s left, Kim appeared notably closer, engaging in intimate dialogue during the parade.
This marks the first time in 66 years since 1959 that a North Korean leader has participated in China’s Victory Day celebrations. The image of Kim standing with Chinese and Russian leaders atop Tiananmen Tower is seen as a symbolic representation of an anti-U.S. international front amid a new Cold War landscape.
Analysts suggest this move aims to mend previously strained North Korea–China relations and strengthen ties with Russia, potentially giving North Korea leverage in future negotiations with the U.S.
An-Ro-Gyeong-Jung Strategy in Full Swing…Building Confidence Ahead of U.S. Talks
This visit holds particular significance for Kim, marking his first trip to China in six years and eight months since January 2019. The resumption of North Korea–China exchanges, previously halted due to sanctions and the pandemic, is a noteworthy development.
Experts are closely monitoring the possibility that North Korea will intensify its strategy of relying on Russia for security and China for economic support, known as the An-Ro-Gyeong-Jung (security with Russia, economy with China) strategy.
Oh Kyung-seop, a researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, noted that this visit has dispelled notions of strained North Korea–China relations. It’s likely both sides will pursue various economic collaborations based on mutual interests during their talks.
Kim’s actions also mark his debut on the multilateral diplomatic stage. As signs of renewed dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. emerge, North Korea appears to be projecting a new image by directly engaging with the international community.
Particularly, as discussions with the U.S. are underway, this visit can be interpreted as a strategic move to enhance North Korea’s negotiating power. By aligning with China and Russia, Kim may be bolstering his confidence ahead of potential talks with the U.S.
Kim previously visited China before the 2018 summit with the U.S., establishing a pattern of diplomatic preparation. He met with Xi twice in March and May 2018, and again after the June summit with the U.S. He also traveled to China before the second U.S.–North Korea summit in Hanoi in January 2019.
China Remains a Key Leverage For North Korea in Negotiations With The U.S.
This visit underscores the enduring importance of the China card in North Korean diplomacy, serving as a crucial lever for enhancing its negotiating power with the U.S. North Korea continues to demand recognition of its irreversible nuclear status, a stance likely to persist.
Professor Kim Jong, from the University of North Korean Studies, remarked that the sight of the three leaders together symbolically demonstrates Kim’s strong backing. Further noting that this suggests he’ll enter any potential U.S.–North Korea talks with significant leverage and confidence.
Professor Kim added that it’s clear that Kim won’t engage in talks with the U.S. under previous conditions. Further highlighting that he’s likely to demand even stronger acknowledgment of North Korea’s nuclear power status.
With Kim’s entry onto the multilateral diplomatic stage, there is speculation about expanding contacts with anti-U.S. coalition countries such as Laos and Iran.
Yang Wook, a researcher at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, noted that Kim realizes that confining his activities to the Korean Peninsula is ineffective. He added that Kim’s now expanding his influence into Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. Further adding that the Victory Day event, attended mostly by anti-U.S. and socialist nations, paves the way for new diplomatic exchanges and cooperation.
