North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Beijing alongside his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to attend what China is calling its biggest military parade in history. minotaur fight store | minotaurfightstore

The event, held on Wednesday in Tiananmen Square, commemorates the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. Chinese President Xi Jinping will preside over the ceremony, joined by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kim, and more than two dozen other world leaders.

Arrival in Beijing

Kim traveled to the Chinese capital aboard his signature armored train, which crossed the border on Tuesday and rolled into Beijing Railway Station the following day. He was photographed stepping onto the platform with his daughter at his side, greeted by Chinese officials and uniformed guards.

South Korea’s intelligence agency has previously identified Kim Ju Ae as her father’s “most likely” successor. Since making her public debut in 2022, she has regularly appeared at state events — an unusual role for someone believed to be just around 10 years old.

Kim’s lavish train, long associated with the ruling dynasty, is said to include conference rooms, banquet halls, and dining cars stocked with French wine and seafood. Like his grandfather Kim Il Sung and father Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader avoids flying and relies on rail travel for international trips.

Parade as a Show of Strength

Xi’s Victory Day parade is as much about politics as history. Beyond honoring World War II, the event is a demonstration of China’s expanding military capabilities and its ambition to rival the United States on the global stage.

The 70-minute showcase is expected to feature hundreds of aircraft, tanks, missile launchers, and anti-drone systems — the first public display of the Chinese military’s revamped structure. Tens of thousands of troops will march through Tiananmen Square in tightly organized formations.

Xi will be joined not only by Kim and Putin but also by leaders from Iran, Cuba, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The guest list reflects Beijing’s effort to deepen ties across Asia and with states opposed to Western influence. Only one European Union leader — Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico — is attending, though Bulgaria and Hungary are sending envoys.

Diplomatic Signals

Kim’s presence marks the first time a North Korean leader has attended a Chinese military parade since his grandfather’s appearance in 1959. His attendance signals closer ties between Pyongyang and Beijing at a time when both nations are facing heightened pressure from the West.

North Korea has supplied weapons and fighters to Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine. Beijing, while denying direct military support, has faced Western criticism for buying Russian oil and exporting goods with potential military applications.

On Tuesday, Xi and Putin held talks that Chinese media described as evidence of “exemplary” relations. Putin called Xi a “dear friend.” The optics underline China’s willingness to stand by Moscow, despite its invasion of Ukraine, and to align itself more openly with authoritarian partners.

Rare Foreign Visit for Kim

Kim’s overseas trips remain rare. His last visit to China was in 2019 to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two neighbors. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he has only met with Putin, visiting Russia twice.

This week’s parade elevates his international visibility, with his daughter’s presence reinforcing speculation about dynastic succession. Her inclusion at such a high-profile event underscores her growing role in the carefully managed image of North Korea’s ruling family.