North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Visits China for Historic Military Parade

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un embarked on a train journey from Pyongyang to Beijing to attend a significant military parade marking the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, a rare diplomatic engagement outside North Korea. His use of bulletproof, heavily equipped trains with multiple carriages for security, comfort, and operational needs continues a tradition among North Korean leaders, allowing him to travel safely with a large entourage. This trip is notable as Kim's first attendance at a major multilateral diplomatic event, where he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, symbolizing a formalization of the trilateral relationship among China, Russia, and North Korea. Experts view the visit as a strategic move to strengthen Pyongyang's ties with its two main allies and enhance Kim's international standing, especially amid growing military cooperation with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. The public joint appearance of these leaders sends a clear geopolitical message to the United States, Japan, and South Korea about the emerging alliance confronting them. This visit also reflects North Korea's efforts to emerge from global isolation despite heavy sanctions related to its nuclear weapons programs.