Kim Jong Un’s Visit to China: Possibility of Meeting Speaker Woo Won-shik & the Meaning of Attending Victory Day
Kim Jong Un, Chairman of North Korea’s State Affairs Commission, has visited China for the first time in 6 years and 8 months — a move that could bring major shifts to the Korean Peninsula situation. While the main purpose is to attend the 80th Victory Day anniversary, speculation is growing over whether he might meet National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and how this visit signals a tightening of DPRK–China relations. Analysts are already debating what this trip means for denuclearization talks, inter-Korean relations, and U.S.–North Korea diplomacy.
Kim’s China Trip: What’s the Core?
Kim’s China visit isn’t just about attending a commemorative event. It could serve as a catalyst to accelerate discussions on Korean Peninsula denuclearization and building long-term peace. It also underscores the strategic importance of further solidifying North Korea–China ties. Notably, Kim’s decision to take the overland route instead of flying has drawn special attention as a symbolic and unusual move.
Why Did He Choose the Overland Route?
In previous visits, China’s top foreign affairs officials, such as the International Liaison Department head, directly greeted Kim. But this time, due to speculation about a shake-up in leadership, it is said that only a vice minister-level official may receive him. Some observers argue that given this is Kim’s debut on a multilateral stage, Beijing might even skip elaborate ceremonies to avoid overshadowing the Victory Day parade. The overland route, meanwhile, is seen as both a security measure and a show of intimacy with China.
How Will This Visit Affect the Korean Peninsula?
The outcome of this visit will likely have a strong impact on the Korean Peninsula security landscape. Strengthened DPRK–China relations could alter U.S. and allied strategies on North Korea. It may also influence whether dialogue to ease tensions and restart peace process talks can move forward.
Entourage & Protocol: Hidden Meanings?
According to KCNA (Korean Central News Agency), Kim traveled by train — a notable departure from past methods. This shift suggests not only security reasons but also a deliberate emphasis on his bond with Beijing. Every detail of his entourage and reception arrangements is being read as part of a carefully crafted political message.
Who Will Show Up at the Welcome Ceremony?
In the past, figures like Song Tao, head of the CCP International Liaison Department, greeted Kim personally. Now, with current department chief Liu Jianchao reportedly facing political difficulties, a downgrade in reception is possible. If high-level officials are absent, that could subtly signal shifts in DPRK–China relations.
Why Such Heavy Security?
The extreme level of security preparations signals that this is not a casual goodwill trip. The sense of “no mistakes allowed” reflects that this visit carries very high stakes — both diplomatically and strategically — for Pyongyang diplomacy and its positioning in the global order.
Purpose of the Visit: Outlook for DPRK–China Relations
The visit is meant to accelerate denuclearization and peace discussions on the Korean Peninsula while tightening DPRK–China ties. With U.S.–North Korea negotiations stalled, Kim appears to be seeking greater leverage by aligning more closely with Beijing.
DPRK–China Relations: Gains and Risks
Strengthening North Korea–China relations brings both opportunities and challenges. On the economic side, Beijing’s support could inject vital energy into the North Korean economy, helping it survive under heavy UN sanctions. Politically, closer ties improve Pyongyang’s global standing. But the flip side is that this could complicate inter-Korean relations and further strain U.S.–North Korea diplomacy.
Will Tensions on the Peninsula Really Ease?
Some fear that a tighter DPRK–China alignment might slow down inter-Korean engagement and harden the U.S.–North Korea standoff. At the same time, China’s growing military power may reshape the broader security environment in Northeast Asia.
Speaker Woo Won-shik in Beijing: Will He Meet Kim?
Woo Won-shik, Speaker of South Korea’s National Assembly, has traveled to Beijing to attend the 80th Victory Day anniversary parade. As protocol No. 2 in South Korea, he is effectively representing the government at this symbolic event. The big question: will Woo and Kim cross paths? If so, it would be a highly symbolic moment watched across the world.
Who Is Woo Won-shik?
Besides attending the Victory Day ceremony, Woo is scheduled to meet high-ranking officials from China’s National People’s Congress and State Council. Since he has previously met Kim, the possibility of a reunion during this trip is not far-fetched.
Could He Carry a Message from President Lee Jae-myung?
Political circles in Seoul suggest that President Lee Jae-myung may have intentionally sent Woo — who already has personal ties with Kim — to Beijing as a potential back channel. This could be an attempt to establish contact and restart dialogue on inter-Korean cooperation.
U.S.–China Rivalry: Casting a Shadow Over the Peninsula
Kim’s China visit carries implications far beyond the bilateral DPRK–China relationship. It intersects with the ongoing U.S.-China rivalry and adds new complexity to the Korean Peninsula peace process. Meeting Xi Jinping would further underline how aligned Pyongyang and Beijing have become.
North Korea and China: Strategic Tightening
Closer ties could also impact dialogue efforts. China has long emphasized diplomacy and negotiation as the solution for Korean Peninsula denuclearization. But the reality is complicated: a tighter DPRK–China axis could undermine Seoul’s room for maneuver and add friction to U.S.–North Korea relations.
Will Washington and Pyongyang Drift Further Apart?
The United States has stuck with its pressure campaign to stop North Korea’s nuclear program. But by leaning on China, Kim may resist that pressure more strongly. Meanwhile, Beijing’s growing military clout is altering the entire balance of power across Northeast Asia.
North Korea’s Missile Program: Still Expanding
North Korea’s missile production capacity remains at the core of its military strategy. Historically, Pyongyang relied on Russian technical support, but now it has significantly upgraded its indigenous missile manufacturing. Recent reports say production facilities are expanding, and a major focus is on solid-fuel ICBMs. These are easier to store and transport, with faster launch prep, making them a serious threat for regional security.
Localizing Missile Components
Due to sanctions restricting imports, Pyongyang is working to boost domestic production of missile parts. This effort reflects a broader push toward self-reliance, ensuring the regime can sustain weapons programs even under international pressure.
Domestic and International Issues: A Complicated Web
Kim’s China visit is unfolding in a broader context of overlapping domestic and global challenges. Inside South Korea, debate is heating up over how this trip will affect the future of the Korean Peninsula peace process. Internationally, the move intersects with U.S.-China tensions and the Russia–Ukraine war impact, as the global order undergoes reconfiguration. Some even speculate Pyongyang may draw closer to Moscow amid the changing geopolitical landscape.
Will Inter-Korean Relations Improve?
The possibility of a Woo–Kim meeting could serve as a symbolic spark for improved inter-Korean relations. Seoul is carefully watching every move, looking for opportunities to restart talks and expand cooperation.
Could Global Trends Benefit North Korea?
From the U.S.–China confrontation to the war in Ukraine, shifting global dynamics might open space for Pyongyang to maneuver. With Russia isolated and China strengthening ties with DPRK, North Korea may find new leverage in an evolving international system.
Amid this complex geopolitical puzzle, Kim Jong Un’s China trip could be a turning point for the Korean Peninsula. A chance meeting with Woo Won-shik could spark momentum for dialogue, while a deepening DPRK–China alignment could also freeze progress on inter-Korean and U.S.–North Korea diplomacy. Either way, the world will be watching closely. The priority remains clear: keep striving for peace and stability in the region.
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