In a first, Kim Jong Un will attend a gathering of leaders with both Putin and Xi

In a first, Kim Jong Un will attend a gathering of leaders with both Putin and Xi

Anthony Kuhn

August 29, 2025 / 9:19 am

SEOUL, South Korea — When North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits China next week for a military parade, he'll be gathering with foreign leaders for the first time, at a rare event with the heads of China, Russia and North Korea all together.

The Sept. 3 parade marks the end of World War II after Japan's formal surrender to Allied forces. China's Foreign Ministry says the event commemorates China's victory

over "Japanese aggression."

Kim's decision to attend the event was reported by South Korean and North Korean news outlets.

China's State Council this week published a list of 26 leaders it said would attend that would also include the leaders of Iran, Cub