Kim joins lavish reception alongside Putin, Xi after military paradeNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un strode into a lavish reception in Beijing with Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping, hours after standing shoulder to shoulder with them at a military parade Wednesday, TV footage showed. Kim was seen entering the banquet hall in the front row to Xi's left, just like he had stood side by side with Xi and Putin at Tiananmen Square viewing gallery during the muscle-flexing parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Kim's position suggests Beijing offered him the highest form of diplomatic protocol, as China brought Kim together with Putin and leaders of other friendly nations to the event in a show of force and unity against the United States and the West, in what observers describe as a new Cold War front. Footage aired by Yonhap News TV and China's CCTV showed Kim being seated at the center of the main table to the left of China's first lady Peng Liyuan, who sat next to her husband. South Korean Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, attending as the country's representative, was also seated at the head table, but far from where KimSep 4, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea's Kim, Putin discuss 'long-term' plan for bilateral cooperation: KCNANorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed "long-term" plans for cooperation between the two nations during their talks in Beijing on the sidelines of China's military parade, state media reported Thursday. The summit took place hours after Kim and Putin attended China's large-scale military parade the previous day, together with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Kim and Putin "discussed in detail the long-term plans for cooperation between the two countries and reaffirmed their steadfast will to continue to lead the bilateral relations to a high level," according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Calling the bilateral ties "special ones of trust, friendship and alliance," Putin said Russia will "always remember" sacrifices by North Korean troops deployed for Moscow's war with Ukraine, it said. Kim said the North will "fully" support Russia's efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing his country considers it a "fraternal duty" to provide assistance to Moscow. The two leaders also had "an open-minded exchange" of vieSep 4, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea's Kim invites Belarusian president to visit country: reportNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Wednesday invited Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to visit his country, Reuters reported. Kim extended the invitation while talking with Lukashenko at the venue for China's military parade in Beijing, the news agency reported, citing a Telegram account. Kim attended the military parade at Tiananmen Square marking the 80th anniversary of what China celebrates as its victory over Japan and the end of World War II, along with other state leaders. Belarus is among the few countries taking Russia's side in its war with Ukraine, a stance shared by North Korea, which has deepened bilateral relations.Sep 3, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korean leader’s display of closeness with Xi Jinping signals return to old allianceNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s appearance at China’s victory ceremony in Beijing Wednesday signaled a thaw in relations between the two countries, which had grown strained in recent years. Analysts say both nations now have strong incentives to strengthen ties amid shifting regional dynamics. For years, the once-solid alliance between Pyongyang and Beijing had been quietly strained. Concerned over North Korea’s persistent pursuit of nuclear weapons, China supported United Nations sanctions, although it often implemented them selectively to balance enforcement with its broader economic and strategic interests. Meanwhile, the North Korean leader appeared to pull away from his nation’s traditional patron, fostering closer ties with Moscow. During the globally televised event, Kim was seen leaning in and conversing at length with Chinese President Xi Jinping — a display of unusually close interaction compared to previous appearances. Observers noted that he stood closer to China’s leader than even his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, had during similar commemorations decades ago. AfSep 3, 2025By Anna J. Park
AnalysisN. Korean leader’s daughter draws attention on China trip as possible successorFor her debut on the world stage, Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, stood prominently between her father and Chinese officials as he arrived in Beijing on Tuesday. Her presence on the landmark trip — the first multilateral summit attended by a North Korean leader in 45 years — added a fresh layer of intrigue to a visit already heavy with historical symbolism. Kim’s arrival marked his entry into multilateral diplomacy as he joined Chinese and Russian leaders for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Yet for many observers, the spotlight shifted from the historic summit itself to the young girl at his side, intensifying speculation that she has been tapped as the dynastic heir. Ju-ae’s conspicuous role follows a string of carefully choreographed domestic appearances alongside her father at missile tests, military parades and other high-profile events that have bolstered her image as a potential successor. Believed to have been born in 2013 to Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, Ju-ae first came to international attention when former NBA star Dennis RoSep 3, 2025By Park Ung
Kim Jong-un stands with Xi, Putin at Beijing military parade in rare display of unityNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un stood alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a large-scale military parade in Beijing, Wednesday, in a striking display of ties that trace back to the Cold War. During the mass military parade at Tiananmen Square, Kim was seen at Xi’s left and Putin to his right. Beijing’s show of military might marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a date China observes as its victory over Imperial Japan. It was the first time in 66 years that the leaders of North Korea, China and Russia stood shoulder to shoulder. The last such moment came in 1959, when North Korea’s founder, Kim Il-sung, stood alongside China’s Mao Zedong and the Soviet Union’s Nikita Khrushchev at a military parade in Beijing. Even at the time, Kim Il-sung did not stand next to Mao. The rare attendance of the three leaders together, as well as the display of their close relationship by standing side by side, projected an image of solidarity and cooperation against the West. The occasion also marked Kim’s first attendance among such aSep 3, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
N. Korea's Kim arrives at Tiananmen Square for military parade alongside Putin, XiBEIJING/SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived at the venue for a military parade in Beijing, where he is set to stand shoulder to shoulder with Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping in a display of trilateral cooperation against the West. Wearing a black suit and a gold tie, Kim slowly walked into Tiananmen Square's red-carpeted main entrance ahead of the event. Xi subsequently welcomed him into the square, shaking hands with him alongside other state leaders arriving at the venue, including Putin, before moving toward the rostrum. Putin walked on Xi's right while Kim walked on his left, occasionally talking to him with smiles. The military parade was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. (local time) at Tiananmen Square, marking the 80th anniversary of what China celebrates as its victory over Japan and the end of World War II, and featuring displays of its latest weaponry and marching troops.Sep 3, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea's media domestically reports on Kim's arrival in Beijing, but no mention of daughterNorth Korea's state media on Wednesday domestically reported on leader Kim Jong-un's arrival in Beijing, but there was no mention that Kim's young daughter, Ju-ae, accompanied him. The North's Rodong Sinmun and the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, a radio service, reported the news a day after Kim arrived in Beijing to attend a large-scale military parade at Tiananmen Square on Wednesday. The newspaper also published photos of Kim being welcomed on arrival by Cai Qi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party's central committee, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other Chinese officials, accompanied by Ju-ae. However, the daily made no mention of her. It said the city of Beijing was engulfed by "the closest friendship and passionate welcome" as it greeted Kim.Sep 3, 2025By Yonhap
N.Korean leader appears to be accompanied by daughter on visit to China: NISNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears to be accompanied by his daughter, Ju-ae, on his visit to China, South Korea's spy agency said Tuesday, reinforcing views she is being groomed to succeed her father. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment hours after Kim arrived in Beijing in a special armored train to attend Wednesday's ceremony marking the anniversary of the end of World War II. In a photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Kim could be seen stepping off the train followed by a person believed to be Ju-ae, followed by North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. The person behind Kim is seen only partially due to the angle of the photo. "It appears that Kim Jong-un took his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, with him on his visit to China," the NIS said, adding it is closely following her movements. The North Korean leader has been accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol-ju, on three of his past visits to China, but it is the first time he is joined by his daughter. Since first appearing at an official event in 2022, Ju-ae has frequently been seen alongside her father, promptingSep 2, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea's Kim arrives in Beijing ahead of military paradeBEIJING/SEOUL — A special armored train carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Beijing on Tuesday as he is set to appear at China's upcoming military parade, which will be attended by dozens of state leaders, setting the stage for his multilateral diplomatic debut. The train arrived at Beijing Railway Station at around 4 p.m. (local time), nearly a day after departing Pyongyang, accompanied by Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and other officials. Citing witnesses, Reuters also reported that a train carrying a North Korean flag was seen in Beijing before a motorcade with the flag departed the station. North Korea's state media said, later confirmed by Seoul's National Intelligence Service (NIS), that Kim departed Pyongyang the previous day aboard his private train en route to Beijing and crossed into China at dawn. Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be among dozens of foreign leaders attending Wednesday's military parade presided over by Chinese President Xi Jinping at Tiananmen Square to celebrate the 80th anniversary of "victory" over Japan's surrender and the endSep 2, 2025By Yonhap
