North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Beijing to meet with his Chinese and Russian counterparts, ahead of one of the largest military parades ever staged.
It is the first time in his 14-year rule that Mr Kim has joined a multilateral event, and it is the first time all three leaders have met, with commentators saying the visit is designed to demonstrate trilateral solidarity against the United States.
According to the Associated Press, Mr Kim, who does not like to fly, took his trademark green armoured train to Beijing, but stopped first en route to check progress on a North Korean missile research institute developing a new engine for a “next-generation” intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The North in recent years has tested various versions of ICBMs capable of reaching the US mainland, and analysts say the next-generation ICBM likely refers to a long-range weapon with multiple nuclear warheads that can penetrate US missile defence systems.
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While none of the three countries have confirmed a private trilateral leaders’ meeting in Beijing, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told Russia’s TASS news agency a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Mr Kim on the sidelines was “under consideration”.
Earlier, Chinese leader Xi Jinping had welcomed the Russian President as an “old friend” before the two began a series of meetings.
In turn, Mr Putin addressed Mr Xi as his “dear friend” and said Moscow’s ties with Beijing were “at an unprecedentedly high level”.
Today is the third of four days in which China’s president is hosting world leaders.
It began with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on Sunday and will end with the major military parade tomorrow that commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and China’s fight against Japan’s wartime aggression.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said Mr Kim may stand alongside Mr Xi and Mr Putin on the rostrum at Tiananmen Square during Wednesday’s parade.
It also anticipates he will hold bilateral meetings with the Chinese and Russian leaders and interact with other heads of state at a reception and cultural performance as he seeks to break out of isolation and expand his diplomatic relations.
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North Korea’s foreign policy priority has been Russia in recent years, as it has been supplying troops and ammunition to support Russia’s war against Ukraine in exchange for economic and military assistance.
According to South Korean assessments, North Korea has sent around 15,000 troops to Russia.
North Korea’s relations with China have reportedly turned sour in recent years, but experts say Mr Kim likely hopes to restore ties as China is North Korea’s biggest trading partner and aid benefactor, and he would want to brace for the end of the Russia-Ukraine war.
