A Parade of Power: Kim Jong Un to Attend Beijing Ceremony

A parade of power is scheduled for next week in Beijing, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un set to attend a major military ceremony. The event on Wednesday, his first trip abroad in years, marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and will also feature Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The ceremony, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, has been marked by a diplomatic boycott from the West. Leaders from the U.S. and major European nations will not be present due to their opposition to Putin, turning the event into a showcase of Eastern alliances.
This visit is seen as a crucial move by Kim to reaffirm his country’s ties with its most vital partner, China. The economic relationship is paramount, as North Korea conducts nearly all of its foreign trade with its neighbor.
The gathering of the three leaders in Beijing is also a powerful geopolitical statement. It comes amid North Korea’s increased military cooperation with Russia and will be viewed as a public demonstration of their united front against Western influence.