North Korea's existence is closely tied to China, especially since the Korean War. When North Korean forces faced defeat after a successful U.S. counteroffensive, China intervened by sending troops, leading to a stalemate at the 38th parallel, which remains the border today. Over the years, North Korea has relied on China for protection, while China has benefited from having a buffer state between itself and the U.S.-allied South Korea.

However, recent years have seen North Korea's relationship with Russia grow stronger, overshadowing its ties with China. North Korean troops have been deployed to Ukraine to support Russian forces. Today, leaders from China, North Korea, and Russia—Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, and Vladimir Putin—will attend a military parade in Tiananmen Square. This event commemorates 80 years since Japan's defeat in World War II and symbolizes a unified front of authoritarian regimes, with China positioning itself as the leader of this bloc.

Kim Jong Un's visit to China marks his first trip there in six years, largely due to pandemic restrictions. Since then, North Korea has engaged more openly with Russia. In 2023, Kim traveled to Russia, where he and Putin established a military alliance. North Korea has since sent thousands of troops to assist Russia in Ukraine, while Russia is expected to help advance North Korea's military technology, which has been a longstanding challenge for the regime.

Go Myong-Hyun, a senior research fellow, described the relationship between North Korea and Russia as "transactional." He noted, "The Russians are in a bind. They're not doing too well in Ukraine, so they need all the help they can get." This situation has pressured Russia to share sensitive military technology with North Korea, although this cooperation could change if the conflict in Ukraine resolves.

China has taken a more cautious approach, needing North Korea as a buffer but viewing its nuclear ambitions as a source of instability. China has also maintained a neutral stance regarding Ukraine to protect its economic ties with the West and South Korea. Recent lack of significant diplomatic or economic events between China and North Korea has led to speculation about a potential cooling in their relationship. Professor Kim Yong Hyun from Dongkuk University remarked on this, saying there may be "some feelings of neglect" due to the absence of notable interactions.

Meanwhile, a U.S. official has reported that Russia is in the process of purchasing millions of rounds of artillery and rockets from North Korea for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite the growing ties between North Korea and Russia, Professor Kim emphasized that the fundamental relationship between China and North Korea remains intact. He stated, "From Pyongyang's perspective, this visit is meaningful as a way to reconfirm economic, diplomatic, and even military cooperation with China."

The leaders' meeting in Beijing is also significant for U.S. President Donald Trump, who has previously expressed interest in engaging with all three leaders. After a meeting with Putin, Trump indicated a desire to meet with Kim, following a failed attempt during his presidency. While bilateral meetings are anticipated, it remains uncertain if a trilateral meeting will occur.

Experts do not expect major announcements from the meetings, as China must balance its interests with Russia, North Korea, and the West. However, the attendance of these leaders at the military parade sends a powerful message. Dr. Go noted, "[China] wants to send a message to the Americans … that it still is the leader of this bloc. It's really about the view, the optics, rather than the substance."