A convergence of convenience will take place in Beijing next week as the leaders of North Korea, Russia, and China meet under the cover of a historical commemoration. Kim Jong Un will attend a military parade on Wednesday, joining Vladimir Putin as a guest of Xi Jinping.
The event, marking the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end, has been shunned by Western leaders protesting Putin’s presence. This creates a vacuum that the three leaders are eager to fill, projecting an image of a powerful and united alternative to the West.
This is Kim’s first trip abroad in years, a journey driven by the necessity of maintaining good relations with his primary economic sponsor, China. The visit is crucial for securing the support his country needs to survive.
The meeting is a clear demonstration of a shared strategic interest in opposing U.S. global leadership. It is a public affirmation of a partnership that has grown stronger in the face of Western pressure.