In a clear display of defiance, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will travel to Beijing next week for a major military parade. The visit, his first abroad in years, is a direct challenge to the Western-led international order.
The parade on Wednesday, marking the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end, will also feature Russian President Vladimir Putin. The event has been boycotted by Western leaders, which only serves to amplify the defiant tone of the gathering.
For Kim, the trip is a crucial mission to shore up his alliance with China, his country’s primary economic and political backer. This visit is essential for North Korea’s continued survival.
The joint appearance of Kim, Xi, and Putin is a powerful symbol of their united opposition to U.S. influence. It is a public declaration of a new strategic axis that is poised to reshape global politics.