Kim Jong-un to Join Xi, Putin at China’s WWII Parade in Rare International Appearance
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will attend a major military parade in Beijing on Sept. 3, appearing alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in what would be his first joint appearance with the two leaders, according to official sources and media reports Thursday.
The parade, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, is set to take place in Tiananmen Square. China describes the event as a celebration of its victory in the “War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.”
The visit, confirmed by both North Korean and Chinese state media, marks Kim’s first international engagement in years — and his debut at a multilateral gathering. It comes amid efforts by Pyongyang to strengthen ties with Beijing, following years of closer military cooperation with Moscow.
According to the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim will visit China “at the invitation of Comrade Xi Jinping” to participate in the Sept. 3 celebrations. Chinese Foreign Ministry official Hong Lei confirmed Kim’s attendance, placing him among 26 foreign leaders expected to join the parade at Xi’s invitation.
Notable attendees will include President Putin, South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and leaders from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Iran, as well as diplomatic officials from the U.S., France, and the U.K.
Hong welcomed Kim’s participation, saying China seeks to “write a new chapter” in bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation for regional peace and global justice.
Since taking power in 2011, Kim has visited China four times — most recently in 2019 — but has not made any overseas appearances since the COVID-19 pandemic. His trip signals a possible diplomatic shift as the Russia-Ukraine war continues to evolve.
“Kim’s attendance could be a stepping stone toward restarting multilateral dialogue,” said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. “It may even serve as a catalyst for another North Korea–U.S. summit.”
Kim’s appearance with Xi and Putin will highlight a growing alignment among the three countries — often positioned in opposition to the strengthening U.S.–South Korea–Japan trilateral alliance.
South Korean officials confirmed that Kim’s trip was known to the government prior to Thursday’s public announcement. Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik told reporters that Seoul was notified via relevant channels earlier in the day.
When asked whether the deepening ties among North Korea, China, and Russia are cause for concern, Kang said the government remains committed to encouraging a peaceful and denuclearized Korean Peninsula.
“The government expects North Korea–China relations to develop in a direction that promotes peace,” he said. “We will continue to pursue open dialogue with the North.”
President Lee Jae Myung had been invited to attend the Beijing parade but opted to send Speaker Woo instead, reflecting diplomatic caution amid U.S. alliance commitments.
Meanwhile, Seoul is considering inviting Kim to the APEC summit in Gyeongju this October — potentially setting the stage for a meeting between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump expressed interest in such a meeting during his summit with Lee earlier this week.
Despite Kim and Speaker Woo both attending the Sept. 3 ceremony, experts say a direct meeting is unlikely. Pyongyang has consistently rejected Seoul’s outreach, and inter-Korean tensions remain high.
Still, analysts say Kim’s trip to Beijing reflects a broader strategic repositioning as North Korea hedges its alliances in a changing geopolitical landscape.
