In a move that defies years of international sanctions and isolation, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will make a high-profile trip to Beijing next week. He will attend a military parade on Wednesday commemorating the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end, his first trip abroad since 2019.
The event will also feature Russian President Vladimir Putin, another leader facing extensive Western sanctions. Their presence, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is a direct challenge to the U.S.-led effort to isolate them on the global stage.
The parade has been boycotted by the U.S. and its major European allies, who refuse to share a stage with Putin. This boycott only serves to strengthen the narrative of a united front among the sanctioned nations.
Kim’s visit is also a practical necessity. He is expected to use the trip to ensure the continued flow of economic support from China, which is crucial for his country’s survival in the face of crippling economic pressure.