Is Kim Jong-un Ready to Meet Putin and Xi Jinping in China?

Seoul, Sep 1 (NationPress) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is preparing to depart for China on Monday, traveling aboard his special armored train to attend a military parade in Beijing. All eyes are on his debut on the multilateral diplomatic stage and the potential for a three-way meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Kim might need to leave Pyongyang as early as Monday to reach Beijing by Tuesday, given the train's journey time of approximately 20 to 24 hours, as noted by observers and government sources.

The Chinese military parade is set for Wednesday, lasting 70 minutes, showcasing the latest weaponry and troops to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II, which China marks as a victory over Japan.

It is anticipated that Kim will utilize his forest-green train instead of the Chammae-1 private plane, which he reportedly used for long-distance domestic flights early in his leadership, due to the aircraft's age.

Kim is expected to cross the North Korea-China border on Monday night and stay at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where he has previously lodged during three out of four visits to China.

On the eve of his highly anticipated departure, Kim inspected a newly established missile production line at a significant munitions factory, focusing on the nation's missile production capabilities and future prospects, according to state media.

Kim and Putin will join state leaders from 26 foreign nations at the military parade at Tiananmen Square on Wednesday, marking the North Korean leader's first appearance on the multilateral diplomatic scene.

This event will be Kim's inaugural attendance at a multilateral diplomatic occasion since he took power in late 2011, paving the way for a potential three-way summit with Xi and Putin.

The last North Korean leader to attend a Chinese military parade was Kim Il-sung, the current leader's grandfather, in 1959.

During the upcoming parade, Kim is scheduled to sit to the left of Xi, with Putin positioned to Xi's right, as per a report from a Russian official.

There is a possibility that Kim, Xi, and Putin could hold a trilateral summit on the sidelines, which would mark the first meeting of the leaders of these three nations with close ties dating back to the Cold War since the war's conclusion.

Kim's upcoming attendance at the Chinese event follows expressions of eagerness from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump to resume diplomacy with Kim during their high-stakes summit in Washington last week.

Kim's rare presence at the military parade and a potential trilateral summit with Xi and Putin could indicate his reluctance to engage in diplomacy with Seoul or Washington.

The military parade occurs amid the US's efforts to modernize its alliances, including with South Korea, to establish a united front against China's expanding global influence.

With bilateral summits and the signing of a mutual defense treaty last year, Kim and Putin have strengthened military ties, leading to North Korea's deployment of troops and weapons to support Moscow's military operations in Ukraine.

Kim's choice to attend the military parade suggests a desire to reinforce traditionally strong relations with China, which had previously been strained due to Pyongyang's closer alignment with Moscow.

Experts believe that North Korea seems to have selected Kim's trip to China in anticipation of the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine war, which could redirect Moscow's focus westward, away from Pyongyang, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.

Some analysts also speculate that Kim may have chosen to attend the military parade to leverage North Korea's strengthened ties with China to enhance its negotiating position ahead of a possible resumption of talks with the US.