North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a newly built weapons factory over the weekend, just days before traveling to Beijing for a major military parade hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, state media reported Monday.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the factory features advanced assembly lines designed to accelerate missile production. Kim praised the facility’s workers and scientists, approving plans to further boost output. The factory’s location was not disclosed, though analysts believe it may be in Jagang province, a hub of North Korea’s munitions industry near the Chinese border.
Strengthening Ties With Beijing and Moscow
Kim is expected to depart for China on Monday by train, with South Korean media citing heightened security at Dandong, the main border crossing. His trip will mark his first visit to China since 2019.
On Wednesday, Kim will join Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and China’s resistance against Japan. The presence of all three leaders underscores a strategic alignment against U.S. efforts to strengthen defense ties with South Korea and Japan.
North Korea has become a crucial wartime partner for Russia. Since late 2024, Kim has supplied Moscow with artillery, ballistic missiles, and even thousands of troops for operations in Ukraine. This cooperation reflects Pyongyang’s push to expand influence abroad while deepening partnerships with powers opposed to Washington.
China as Lifeline, Diplomacy With U.S. Stalled
China remains North Korea’s largest trade partner and key economic lifeline, making Kim’s visit both symbolic and pragmatic. By standing beside Xi in Beijing, Kim aims to demonstrate loyalty to a vital ally while also signaling leverage ahead of any potential resumption of talks with Washington.
Diplomatic dialogue with the U.S. has been frozen since the collapse of Kim’s 2019 summit with then-President Donald Trump in Hanoi, where Pyongyang’s demand for sanctions relief in exchange for limited nuclear concessions was rejected.
Since aligning with Russia, Pyongyang has also sought to expand its international profile, issuing statements on the Middle East and the Taiwan Strait, presenting itself as part of a broader coalition challenging U.S. influence.
What Comes Next
Kim’s Beijing trip highlights his dual strategy:
- Accelerating missile and weapons production to cement military strength.
- Leveraging ties with China and Russia to offset sanctions and counter U.S. pressure.
His appearance at the parade alongside Xi and Putin is expected to be a powerful symbol of solidarity—and a reminder that North Korea remains firmly embedded in an emerging China-Russia bloc.
