In a recent report, the Chinese state news agency Xinhua discussed Xi Jinping’s visit to North Korea this week, where he encouraged Kim Jong Un to strengthen cooperation, particularly in military affairs. Xi returned from a brief trip to Pyongyang on Tuesday, which included a dinner with Kim’s family and a large public gathering in his honor. According to statements from both Chinese and North Korean media, Xi acknowledged that the relationship between their countries has significantly deteriorated over the last decade.
Once a staunch ally, North Korea has shifted its diplomatic focus away from China towards Russia, particularly during the pandemic, which has seemingly had an impact on Kim’s health. Notably, Kim has enhanced military ties with Russia, culminating in a mutual defense agreement signed with Vladimir Putin in 2024, just before a significant military deployment to Europe involving North Korean soldiers.
Xinhua reported Xi’s remarks in Pyongyang, emphasizing military cooperation as a key area for future collaboration. He mentioned that both nations should broaden their diplomatic, law enforcement, and military exchanges to reinforce their relations. Xi stated, “The two countries should bolster strategic cooperation and firmly protect their sovereignty and security.”
Contrarily, Kim did not focus on military assistance during his discussions and instead highlighted the importance of economic trade, infrastructure, technology, education, and cultural exchanges. Xinhua noted that recent dialogues between the leaders also addressed international and regional security concerns. However, the Korean Central News Agency did not clarify whether military cooperation was discussed, and there’s no mention of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program in its reports.
On the topic of military engagement, South Korea’s Yonhap News stated it couldn’t find any official comments from either side regarding nuclear issues. An official from the South Korean Ministry of Unification highlighted that Xi’s call for closer military ties was a noteworthy development, possibly the first public acknowledgment of such discussions since the Korean War’s armistice in 1953. The South Korean government views any potential Chinese involvement in North Korean military matters as a significant national security concern, given the ongoing state of war between the Koreas.
Moreover, Xi’s delegation included Defense Minister Dong Jun, reflecting expectations for military dialogue with North Korean officials. Although Dong attended a lavish banquet hosted by Kim, state coverage did not disclose any specifics about his involvement or statements.
While North Korea is known to have a stockpile of nuclear warheads and has been actively testing ballistic missile technology, it seems to be facing challenges in upgrading its military capabilities, especially before its partnership with Russia. Current military cooperation primarily revolves around North Korea sending troops to Russia’s Kursk region amidst the Ukrainian conflict and establishing a defense agreement. Nevertheless, reports suggest that North Korea may be rapidly advancing its military technology, with suspicions of producing drone technology similar to Iranian and Russian models. Following Kim’s visit to Russia in September 2023, it was claimed that North Korea acquired several drones that violate international sanctions against the country.
