Beijing: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is set to depart for China aboard his special armored train to attend a military parade in Beijing. This event will mark his first appearance on the multilateral diplomatic stage, fueling speculation about a possible three-way meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim is expected to leave Pyongyang as early as Monday to ensure his arrival in Beijing by Tuesday, considering the train's travel time of about 20 to 24 hours. China is preparing to hold a 70-minute military parade on Wednesday, which will showcase its latest weaponry and honor the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, marking victory over Japan.
Kim is anticipated to use his forest-green train rather than the Chammae-1, his private plane, due to the aircraft's age. He is expected to cross the North Korea-China border Monday night and stay at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a place he has stayed during three of his previous four visits to China.
Both Kim and Putin will join state leaders from 26 foreign countries at the military parade at Tiananmen Square on Wednesday. The event is significant as it represents Kim's first time attending a multilateral diplomatic event since he assumed power in late 2011, setting the stage for a potential summit with Xi and Putin.
The last time a North Korean leader attended a Chinese military parade was in 1959 when Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-un's grandfather, participated. During the upcoming parade, Kim will reportedly be seated on Xi's left, with Putin on Xi's right, according to a Russian report citing a Kremlin official.
Kim's attendance follows recent diplomatic engagements, including a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, where they expressed eagerness to resume diplomacy with Kim. However, Kim's presence at the parade and a potential trilateral meeting with Xi and Putin may suggest a disinterest in diplomatic engagement with Seoul or Washington.
The military parade occurs as the U.S. seeks to modernize alliances, particularly with South Korea, as part of a strategy to counter China's growing global influence. Meanwhile, Kim and Putin have strengthened military ties, evident in Pyongyang's support of Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine, following the signing of a mutual defense treaty last year.
By attending the military parade, Kim appears to seek the restoration of strong ties with China, which had been strained by North Korea's recent alignment with Moscow. Experts believe Kim's trip is strategically timed, anticipating a shift in Moscow's focus following the potential conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Some analysts suggest that Kim might leverage North Korea's closer relations with China to strengthen his bargaining position in anticipation of resuming negotiations with the U.S.