North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (L) will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) in September for key diplomatic talks. Image: Getty Images.
(The Post News)– North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un will join Russian President Vladimir Putin at China’s military parade next week, Beijing announced on Thursday. This marks Kim’s first multilateral international appearance, turning the event into a historic diplomatic coup for China’s Xi Jinping.
The parade gives Xi a global stage to project power and influence as he pushes for a Beijing-led world order. With Kim and Putin by his side, Xi can show strength while Washington struggles to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war.
U.S. President Donald Trump will not attend the parade but said he wants to meet Kim soon. Kim’s growing nuclear arsenal and support for Russia have deeply unsettled the West. China’s Victory Day celebration commemorates 80 years since Japan’s World War Two surrender, making the event not just symbolic but politically explosive.
A landmark geopolitical event, the military parade will include Kim, Putin, and 26 other international leaders. The fact that a North Korean leader is attending a Chinese military parade for the first time since 1959 demonstrates Pyongyang’s confidence.
Meanwhile, Beijing intends to display hundreds of sophisticated weapons, including tanks, aeroplanes, and state-of-the-art anti-drone systems. China will be showcasing its new military organization for the first time, indicating a change in the security environment in Asia.
Tens of thousands of troops will march through Tiananmen Square in perfect formation. The 70-minute event will display 45 echelons of China’s armed forces, along with war veterans. Analysts believe this grand military show aims to intimidate Western powers and challenge Washington’s dominance in the region. Kim Jong Un joins Putin at China military parade in a move that could reshape alliances for years.
Kim’s attendance upgrades North Korea’s role compared to the 2015 parade, when Pyongyang sent a senior official instead. Now, standing beside Putin and Xi, Kim gains global visibility. The event happens just weeks before a possible Trump visit to Asia, where trade deals and security talks loom large. Kim’s decision to attend signals renewed confidence and a desire to strengthen ties with Beijing and Moscow.
Kim Jong Un Attends the Parade Despite Western Leaders Boycott
Western leaders are, however, boycotting the parade over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but Kim and Xi show no concern. Beijing denies aiding Moscow, yet Washington accuses China of helping Russia circumvent sanctions. North Korea openly backs Russia, sending weapons and even troops, which escalates tensions further. Kim Jong Un joins Putin at the China military parade not just for optics—it cements his role in a growing anti-West alliance.
Now, South Korea must make a difficult choice. At first, President Lee Jae Myung turned down the invitation, sending instead the speaker of his parliament. Although there are significant hazards, going might be the first opportunity for inter-Korean communication since 2019. It will be a diplomatic catastrophe if Kim ignores Lee. Reactions at home might potentially result from standing close to Putin and Iran’s leaders. Pyongyang has denigrated Lee as a “confrontational maniac” despite his desire for peace negotiations with Kim and closer relations with China.
The guests’ list highlights China’s increasing sway. While just a few officials from Europe will attend, leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar will also be present.
In a display of defiance, Kim Jong Un joins Putin at the Chinese military parade, signaling a bold challenge to Western influence. The gathering underscores China’s strategic ambitions, as regional powers align and global attention intensifies. Analysts note that Kim Jong Un joins Putin at the Chinese military parade to cement a new power structure, emphasizing Beijing’s role as a central hub in the emerging geopolitical landscape.
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