North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will make a necessary pilgrimage to his country’s economic patron, China, next week. The journey, his first abroad in several years, will see him attend a major military parade in Beijing on Wednesday that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
This trip is driven by economic reality. With China accounting for an estimated 97% of North Korea’s trade, maintaining a strong and positive relationship with Beijing is not just a policy goal but a matter of survival for Kim’s regime.
The parade itself is a highly symbolic event, with Russian President Vladimir Putin also in attendance and Western leaders staying away in protest. This creates an environment where the bonds between China, Russia, and North Korea can be publicly celebrated and reinforced.
By making this trip, Kim is not only paying respect to his most important ally but also signaling his commitment to the anti-Western bloc. It is a dual-purpose mission of economic necessity and geopolitical alignment.
A Necessary Pilgrimage: Kim Jong Un Heads to Economic Patron China
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