The leader of the “Hermit Kingdom,” Kim Jong Un, is set to emerge from his long international seclusion with a strategic trip to China next week. He will attend a grand military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, an event marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
This journey is Kim’s first outside North Korea since 2019, making it a highly significant diplomatic event. He travels at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping and will be joined by another high-profile guest, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The parade’s roster highlights a stark geopolitical divide. The deliberate absence of leaders from the U.S. and major Western European countries, who are shunning the event due to Putin’s presence, turns the celebration into a showcase of non-Western power.
Kim’s visit is a calculated move to reinforce ties with his most essential ally. With China providing nearly all of North Korea’s trade and aid, this trip is not just symbolic but a crucial mission to ensure his regime’s economic and political stability.
The Hermit King Emerges: Kim Jong Un’s Strategic Trip to China
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