Has North Korea's Kim Arrived in Beijing for a Military Parade?

Beijing, Sep 2 (NationPress) A distinctive armoured train transporting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un touched down in Beijing on Tuesday as he prepares to participate in China's forthcoming military parade, which will see a gathering of numerous state leaders, paving the way for his first multilateral diplomatic appearance.

The train reached Beijing Railway Station around 4 p.m. (local time), nearly a day after leaving Pyongyang, accompanied by Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and other officials.

A train adorned with the North Korean flag was spotted in Beijing prior to a motorcade featuring the flag departing the station.

North Korea's state media confirmed, supported by Seoul's National Intelligence Service (NIS), that Kim set off from Pyongyang the previous day aboard his private train en route to Beijing and entered China at dawn.

On Wednesday, Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be among the multitude of foreign leaders attending the military parade led by Chinese President Xi Jinping at Tiananmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the 'victory' over Japan's surrender and the conclusion of World War II.

The NIS indicated that Kim will stand 'side by side' with Xi and Putin during the event. There are expectations that Kim may engage in separate discussions with both leaders during the parade.

Reports from Russia suggest that Kim will be positioned to Xi's left, with Putin on his right. The presence of these three leaders together is anticipated to send a powerful message regarding their strengthening trilateral alliance.

The NIS previously assessed, 'Kim will showcase trilateral solidarity by standing alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the military parade at Tiananmen Square on Wednesday.'

Additionally, Russia's Tass news agency reported on Tuesday that Kim and Putin might hold a summit during Kim's visit to China, according to the Kremlin.

Once Kim arrives in Beijing, discussions regarding a potential Kim-Putin summit may take place, as stated by a Kremlin spokesperson.

Since ascending power from his late father, Kim Jong-il, Kim has not participated in a multilateral diplomatic event, although he has engaged in bilateral summits.

His unusual choice to attend the Chinese military parade is largely viewed as a move to mend long-standing ties with China and to diminish his historically isolated image.

Following bilateral summits and the signing of a mutual defence treaty last year, Kim and Putin have rapidly intensified military relations, prompting Pyongyang to dispatch troops and weapons to aid Moscow's conflict in Ukraine, thereby straining its relationship with Beijing.

This visit occurs amid increasing indications of a potential resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, which might redirect Moscow's focus away from Pyongyang and its accompanying economic support, as reported by Yonhap.

The NIS assessed that Kim's journey aims to 'broaden his operational space by revitalizing North Korea-China relations and securing economic support from China to strengthen his regime.'

There are also speculations that Kim may be attempting to restore relations with China to leverage them for a better negotiating position in potential future talks with the United States.