Kim Jong Un Joins Global Leaders at Beijing’s Military Parade

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, is set to attend a military parade in Beijing on September 3, 2023, marking his first major international engagement with other heads of state. The event, known as the “Victory Day” parade, commemorates the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan during World War II.

The parade will also feature Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, among the 26 heads of state expected to participate. China plans to showcase its latest military capabilities, including hundreds of aircraft, tanks, and advanced anti-drone systems. This will be the first time the new structure of the Chinese military is fully displayed in such a significant public event.

Tens of thousands of military personnel will march through Tiananmen Square in a highly choreographed display, which will include troops from 45 different units of China’s military, as well as war veterans. The entire parade is expected to last approximately 70 minutes and will be observed by Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader.

Kim’s attendance represents a notable shift from the last Victory Day parade in 2015, when North Korea was represented by senior official Choe Ryong-hae. His presence alongside Putin and Xi will likely create a highly symbolic image, reflecting a deepening alliance among these leaders.

This event comes at a critical geopolitical moment. US President Donald Trump has been attempting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine and recently expressed a desire to meet with Kim once more. As the Chinese leader engages with both Putin and Kim, it signals that he holds considerable influence in these discussions, despite its limitations.

The timing of the parade is significant, particularly with speculation that Trump may be visiting the region in late October and is open to meeting Xi. Should this summit occur, Xi will have the advantage of being well-informed by both Kim and Putin, ensuring that he is not sidelined from key discussions.

In the lead-up to the event, Japan has urged European and Asian nations not to attend the parade, citing its “anti-Japanese overtones.” Most Western leaders are also expected to abstain from participation, largely due to strained relations with Putin over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

It has been six years since Kim made his last visit to Beijing, which coincided with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between North Korea and China. In 2018, he visited Beijing three times, marking a year filled with significant international engagements for the reclusive leader.

As the world watches the developments surrounding this parade, the implications of Kim’s attendance and the presence of other global leaders may reverberate throughout the international political landscape.