What Happened When North Korea's Kim Jong-un Joined Putin and Xi at the Military Parade?

Beijing, Sep 3 (NationPress) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was seen standing alongside Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping at the forefront of a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, signifying the first such assembly of leaders from Pyongyang, Moscow, and Beijing in 66 years.

The sight of Kim next to Putin and Xi in the viewing gallery of Tiananmen Square serves as a powerful demonstration of their trilateral unity against the West.

Clad in a black suit and a gold tie, Kim made a grand entrance into the main entrance of Tiananmen Square ahead of the event.

Xi greeted him warmly, shaking hands with him and other state leaders, including Putin, before heading towards the rostrum. Xi spent more time engaging with Kim and Putin, lightly tapping their arms to signify closeness.

Putin stood on Xi's right, while Kim was on his left as they proceeded to the rostrum, sharing smiles and conversations.

The trio arrived at the rostrum together, engaging in friendly dialogues, marking a historic moment showcasing the unity of China, Russia, and North Korea.

They remained together as the parade commenced, featuring elaborate ceremonies in Tiananmen Square that celebrate the 80th anniversary of what China honors as its victory over Japan and the conclusion of World War II.

This occasion marks the first gathering of the three socialist leaders in 66 years, since the attendance of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung, Chinese founder Mao Zedong, and former Soviet Union Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev at a similar event in 1959.

Their meeting sends a strong message to the world regarding their trilateral solidarity, especially against the backdrop of a US-led unipolar world order.

In his speech at the parade, Xi asserted that the rejuvenation of the Chinese people is "unstoppable," highlighting the global choice between war and peace.

He emphasized that the Chinese people will pursue a path of peaceful development and strive to build a community with a shared future globally, as China displayed its military prowess, showcasing advanced weaponry and well-trained troops.

This moment is significant for Kim, marking his inaugural appearance at an international event and his debut on the multilateral diplomatic stage.

His attendance at the military parade is perceived as a strategic move to mend traditionally strong ties with China and to improve his long-standing pariah image.

Recent bilateral summits and the mutual defense treaty signed last year have led Kim and Putin to strengthen military relations, with North Korea sending troops and arms to support Moscow's actions in Ukraine, which has strained its relationship with Beijing.

As the conflict in Ukraine nears its potential conclusion, Moscow's attention may divert westward, which could lead to diminished economic support for Pyongyang, heightening Kim's reliance on China as a primary source of diplomatic and economic backing.

The South Korea National Intelligence Service (NIS) noted that Kim's visit aims to "broaden his maneuvering space by rejuvenating North Korea-China relations and gaining China's economic support to stabilize his regime."

Some analysts suggest that Kim might be looking to rebuild relations with China to enhance his negotiating power ahead of a possible reopening of talks with the US.

In attendance from South Korea is National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, with speculation on whether he will manage to secure a brief meeting with Kim, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

The NIS anticipates that Kim might hold separate discussions with Xi and Putin during the event, although the likelihood of a three-way summit remains slim.

Kim arrived in Beijing aboard his private armored train the previous day, accompanied by his daughter, Ju-ae, who is considered his heir apparent, on a journey that took nearly a day.