Just days after US President Donald Trump expressed willingness to meet with him again, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un announced his plan to attend China’s September 3 military parade alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin. The move signals Pyongyang’s intention to reassert itself on the world stage and reshape the dynamics surrounding DPRK nuclear talks.

According to Bloomberg, for Kim, this will be his debut on a multilateral diplomatic stage since assuming power 14 years ago. The last time a DPRK leader attended a Chinese military parade was in 1959, underscoring the symbolic weight of the event.

Analysts say Kim’s attendance reflects both his growing confidence and the strategic value of closer DPRK-China relations. Standing next to Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, Kim will project an image of a leader backed by powerful allies, sending a clear message to Washington and Seoul.

“Xi will see this as an opportunity to re-engage with Kim after years of limited interaction,” said Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies to Bloomberg. He added that the event could place Kim in a position of having “two powers vying for his favor.”

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Kim has aligned closely with Putin amid the Ukraine war, providing support that has strengthened Moscow’s position on the battlefield. In return, Russia’s backing has raised concerns about the DPRK’s ability to bolster its arsenal and ensure regime survival despite international sanctions.

This growing partnership complicates the landscape of DPRK nuclear talks, giving Pyongyang more leverage and potentially reducing its incentive to engage with the US on denuclearization.

DPRK nuclear talks and US strategy

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, speaking alongside Trump this week, urged renewed engagement with Pyongyang. “The only person who can make progress on this issue is you, Mr. President,” Lee said during their first summit.

Despite this, the DPRK has dismissed Lee’s outreach efforts, insisting that inter-Korean dialogue remains closed, while leaving the door slightly ajar for direct communication with Washington. Officials in Pyongyang emphasized that the personal relationship between Trump and Kim is “not bad,” though the memory of the failed 2019 summit continues to cast doubt on future progress.

The DPRK strongly rejected Lee’s call for denuclearization, branding it a “naive dream.”

Outlook for future diplomacy

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed cautious optimism that Kim’s visit could foster stability but admitted concern that Seoul may be sidelined in evolving regional diplomacy.

Analysts at Bloomberg Economics noted that while past visits to China often preceded renewed engagement with Washington, this trip appears to be more about showcasing strength and consolidating alliances.

“In the end, it’s North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, not either president, who will decide whether to rejoin talks,” they said.

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