A simple headcount at Beijing’s parade next week will tell the story of a divided world: the East is gathering while the West stays home. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s attendance at the Wednesday event highlights this growing chasm in international relations.
The parade, marking the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end, will be a grand affair hosted by Xi Jinping and featuring Vladimir Putin. However, the deliberate absence of U.S. and major European leaders over the Ukraine war transforms it into a de facto summit of the Eastern bloc.
This is Kim’s first trip abroad since 2019, a vital mission to connect with his primary supporter. The visit is expected to focus on strengthening the economic and political ties with China that are essential for North Korea.
The visual of Kim, Xi, and Putin together will be a defining image of the current geopolitical era. It symbolizes a coordinated challenge to the Western-led order and the formalization of a new strategic alignment.
East Gathers as West Stays Home: Kim’s Beijing Trip Highlights Divide
