Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Kim Jong-un Strengthens Ties With Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping at Parade in China. Alliance Between Russia, North Korea, and Beijing Promises Economic and Military Gains, but Experts Warn of Internal Tensions.
Beijing was the stage for a calculated political gesture. At the grand military parade held on September 3, in Tiananmen Square, three figures caught the world’s attention: Kim Jong-un, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping. The meeting, marked by the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, served not only as a historical memory but also as a clear signal of an alliance that seeks to counter what they consider “Western imperialism,” led by the United States.
The images displaying the three leaders side by side reinforced a strategic message: China, Russia, and North Korea are willing to resist sanctions, diplomatic pressures, and trade blockades. However, experts remind us that, despite the tone of unity, each country has its own divergent interests, which may make the partnership more a relationship of convenience than a true ideological alliance.
Kim Jong-un Between Putin and Xi: Gain of International Status
For Kim Jong-un, the opportunity to appear alongside Putin and Xi Jinping is considered a personal victory. The North Korean dictator has sought recognition as a significant partner on the international stage for years. Participation in the military parade in Beijing elevated his image.
-
A Soviet submarine sank with a nuclear reactor and two atomic torpedoes 37 years ago in the Norwegian Sea — now scientists have detected radiation 800,000 times above normal leaking from the hull.
-
The world’s largest project in 2026 is not a dam, a bridge, or a tunnel — it’s 6,400 workers in the Texas desert building the planet’s first artificial intelligence factory for $500 billion.
-
The Pentagon replicated Ukraine’s most feared drone attack on American soil — and found that $600 million in counter-drone systems failed to prevent commercial quadcopters from penetrating all defenses.
-
A 95-year-old bridge over the Columbia River could collapse at any moment — the cargo ships passing underneath have doubled in size since it was built, and the main pier has never received protection.
According to Dan Pinkston, a professor of international relations at Troy University in Seoul, this gesture has deep symbolism:
“Kim is beaming because he has been invited to the parade, which shows he is at a level to be accepted as an equal partner.”
Moreover, the North Korean leader believes that his direct contribution to Russia — sending troops, weapons, and ammunition for the war in Ukraine — gives him the right to demand reciprocity from Moscow. Still, he seeks to reduce his historical dependence on China, signaling that he wants to diversify his partnerships.
The Power Game Between China and Russia
Historically, Beijing has been Pyongyang’s closest ally since the Korean War in 1950. China has served, over decades, as a brake on the more aggressive actions of the North Korean regime, aiming to protect its own security.
However, experts say Kim Jong-un may be exploiting the veiled rivalry between China and Russia. By getting closer to Putin, the dictator pressures Xi to offer additional benefits to maintain influence over Pyongyang. As Pinkston highlighted:
“China does not want North Korea to get too close to Russia.”
This strategy is not new. Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il-sung, had used similar tactics in the 1970s and 1980s, playing Moscow against Beijing to extract political and economic advantages.
Economic Growth Driven by Russia
The impact of the partnership is already visible in North Korea’s economy. Data from the Bank of Korea, released in August 2024, indicate that North Korea’s GDP grew by 3.7%, the largest increase in eight years. Exports rose by 10.8%, especially in the mining and manufacturing sectors.
This growth is directly linked to “expanded cooperation with Russia.” Bilateral trade has strengthened Pyongyang’s capacity to finance its nuclear program and develop modern ballistic missiles, in addition to boosting Kim Jong-un’s image before his population.
Conversely, Putin also benefits from the partnership, especially in the war in Ukraine. The possibility of sending more North Korean troops to replace dead Russian soldiers has become a valuable card on the negotiating table. Thus, he maintains the flow of fuel and other vital supplies to Pyongyang.
Union Against the West, but for Self-Interest
Despite appearances, analysts warn that the rapprochement between Kim Jong-un, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping is marked more by strategic interests than by ideology. According to Pinkston, they all share an antipathy towards the United States and the West, rejecting concepts such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. However, each leader seeks to exploit the alliance according to their own internal needs.
Choo Jae-woo, a professor of foreign policy at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, also highlighted a more positive aspect. For him, the meeting was symbolic but could open gaps in global trade policies:
“This meeting projects solidarity in security, but I believe we are seeing a slight shift in U.S. trade policy towards China, which will have a cascading effect on Russia and North Korea.”
The Trade Issue and Global Reflections
Trade is one of the most sensitive points of this tripartite relationship. Analysts observe signs that the U.S. government may ease tariffs on Chinese products, aiming to alleviate mutual economic pressure. If this happens, both Beijing and Pyongyang could benefit indirectly.
There is even the expectation that Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, will visit Xi Jinping soon. He has also expressed openness to a new meeting with Kim Jong-un, which could modify part of the current balance.
In this scenario, China tends to view North Korea as a key piece within the so-called Global South, a group of countries seeking greater prominence on the international stage. This would include access to benefits from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which brings together ten member states and 17 partners. For Pyongyang, it would be an opportunity to align its economic interests with a larger cooperation network, accessing resources and investments.
As Choo emphasized:
“Joining the SCO will align North Korea’s economic interests with those of other member states and provide access to vast resources.”
-
-
2 people reacted to this.