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Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday for a two-day state visit, his first to North Korea since 2019. The visit reciprocates Kim Jong Un's attendance at a Beijing military parade last September and underscores China's efforts to position itself as a global power broker.
Kim Yo Jong called US denuclearization push an 'anachronistic dream' as Xi Jinping travels to North Korea for first talks in nearly seven years. Kim Jong Un seeks stronger China ties to break isolation and project united front against Washington, while prioritizing Russia with troops and munitions for Ukraine.
This commentary argues that Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea is significant because it breaks his pattern of reduced foreign travel, signaling China's concern over North Korea's growing military and economic ties with Russia. It suggests that China's traditional role as North Korea's senior partner is being challenged by Russia's payments for weapons and troop support.
South Korean lawmaker Yoo Yong-won reported that North Korea imported more than seven times the U.N.-allowed amount of refined petroleum from China and Russia, based on intelligence materials. North Korea also exported banned minerals and supplied artillery shells to Russia in exchange for military technology.
Kim Jong Un inspected munitions at a weapons factory ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit. North Korea has ordered missile production capacity to be doubled in the next five years.
This commentary argues that North Korea's economy is surprisingly flourishing, driven by arms sales to Russia, Chinese support, and sanctions evasion. It contends that the country's growth, exemplified by a ride-hailing app, challenges conventional perceptions of the isolated regime.
North Korea announced plans to build a 10,000-ton destroyer and develop secret underwater weapons, state media reported ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit. Leader Kim Jong Un ordered the navy to deploy the destroyer Kang Kon and another 5,000-ton warship, the Choe Hyon, as soon as possible. This is the first time North Korea has mentioned a plan to build a 10,000-ton destroyer.
Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter, observed sea trials of the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon ahead of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea on Monday. Kim called for rapidly expanding naval forces, including building larger destroyers and developing underwater weapons.
This commentary explores the factors behind North Korean women's soccer success, including early training at elite academies and state support. It argues that Kim Jong Un uses sports as a diplomatic tool, while noting the difficulty of verifying claims due to the country's secrecy.
This commentary argues that Kim Jong-un's recent emphasis on expanding North Korea's nuclear arsenal is strategically timed ahead of Xi Jinping's visit, driven by insecurities over US-South Korea nuclear submarine talks and trilateral cooperation among the US, Japan, and South Korea. It suggests Kim is reinforcing North Korea's nuclear status in response to perceived threats.