Kim, Putin hold 2.5 hr long summit in Beijing, trilateral with China unlikely: Experts

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has made his debut at this multilateral event, which experts view as a sharp change in his approach to diplomacy.

He also made time to sit down with Russia's Putin.

Our foreign affairs correspondent Oh Soo-young has more.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appeared to launch a new style of active diplomacy at China's Victory Day parade, seeking to establish Pyongyang's nuclear status in a coalition with Beijing and Moscow.

Centre-stage throughout the official events in Tiananmen Square, Kim constantly stood and was seated at the side of Chinese President Xi Jinping, with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the other side.

Amid geopolitical tensions, the gathering of leaders from the three sides was a display of unity last seen 66 years ago in the Cold War era.

"It seems intended to demonstrate the strengthening of North Korea and China's socialist solidarity as a form of counterbalance to the South Korea, U.S., Japan trilateral framework. Another aspect, for Chairman Kim, is to show he plays a key role within the North Korea-China-Russia alignment."

For Kim Jong-un, the optics could portray North Korea as part of a trio of nuclear powers, as he continues to seek recognition of Pyongyang as a nuclear state.

Further showcasing their alignment, Kim and Putin held a bilateral summit on the sidelines following Wednesday's Victory Day events.

Putin thanked Kim for deploying North Korean troops to aid Russia's war in Ukraine, which he described as a battle against "Neo-Nazism," while Kim responded that Pyongyang would do whatever it takes to support the Kremlin.

The meeting between the two stretched on for two-and-a-half hours, during which Putin invited Kim to visit Russia.

Kim's trip to Beijing also reaffirms the North's relations with China.

But a formal trilateral summit between Kim, Xi and Putin is highly unlikely in the foreseeable future, according to experts, as the three sides are pursuing different strategic priorities.

"Before a summit takes place, the agenda, the accompanying officials, and their positions on how the international community will respond must be closely aligned. Yet, their coalition can be likened to being in the 'same bed with different dreams.' Also, there hasn't been enough time for preparations in terms of the agenda and line-up."

Kim arrived in Beijing on Tuesday by special train, his first visit in six years.

What was more striking upon arrival was the unexpected appearance of Kim's daughter, Kim Ju-ae seen standing directly behind her father when he was greeted by high-level Chinese officials.

"When Kim Jong-un turned 8 years old, his father tapped him as his successor. However, as he was not given sufficient diplomatic training, he remained a leader of an isolated state until he participated in summits with China, South Korea, and the United States in 2018. Determined not to pass down this unfortunate experience to his daughter, Kim Jong-un seems to have brought her to China, firmly resolved to introduce her early onto the diplomatic stage and provide her with systematic training."

The occasion marks Kim's first participation in a gathering of dozens of world leaders a notable departure from the one-on-one summits that have defined his diplomacy so far.

Kim also shook hands with South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik during the parade, and exchanged a brief conversation, according to the Speaker's office.

"The implications for inter-Korean and U.S.–North Korea relations remain uncertain.

Observers say Kim may consult Xi about a potential summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, as he did in 2018.

Still, Seoul officials have cautioned against premature optimism, warning that Pyongyang shows no sign of abandoning its nuclear program.

Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.