Beijing: North Korea and China have reaffirmed their bilateral relations following a recent summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting, held in Pyongyang, marked their first summit since September and resulted in a mutual agreement to strengthen traditional ties and expand cooperation across various sectors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the summit signaled a move toward a "strategic partnership" between the two nations after a period of cooled relations as North Korea aligned more closely with Russia. Notably absent from the summit's discussions was any mention of North Korea's nuclear issues or the broader situation on the Korean Peninsula. This omission contrasts sharply with Xi's 2019 visit to Pyongyang, where he advocated for the denuclearization of the region.
Lim Eul-chul, a professor of far eastern studies at Kyungnam University, interpreted Xi's support for North Korea's socialist agenda as an implicit endorsement of its nuclear program. The summit focused instead on enhancing cooperation in diplomacy, law enforcement, and military affairs, areas highlighted by Chinese state media.
A South Korean unification ministry official noted this was the first public mention of military cooperation between China and North Korea, with Seoul closely monitoring potential developments. Researcher Hong Min from Seoul's Korea Institute for National Unification suggested that China's growing unease over the Pyongyang-Moscow relationship may have prompted Beijing to strengthen its ties with North Korea.
During the summit, Kim Jong-un pledged unwavering support for China's "One China" policy and reaffirmed that relations with China are North Korea's top strategic priority. Ahead of Xi's visit, Kim had inspected a new nuclear facility, emphasizing North Korea's intent to expand its nuclear capabilities. His sister also declared that North Korea's nuclear status is a "line of no retreat," indicating no willingness to discuss denuclearization.
The summit allowed both leaders to align their long-term interests amid global uncertainties, transitioning their relationship from a historical alliance to a strategic partnership. They committed to deepening practical cooperation for the benefit of both countries and their peoples.
In response to the summit, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung reiterated the importance of pursuing denuclearization while acknowledging Pyongyang's reluctance to abandon its arsenal. He proposed setting short-term goals such as halting additional nuclear material production and intercontinental ballistic missile development as part of negotiations with North Korea.