On the afternoon of September 1, the familiar whistle sounded at Pyongyang railway station, and North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un set off on a special train for Beijing. This is Kim Jong-un's first visit to China in six years. The purpose of this trip is to participate in the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the Anti-Japanese War.
Just hours before Mr. Kim's departure, the South Korean Defense Ministry abruptly announced a complete halt to the broadcast of "Voice of Freedom" to North Korea, which has continued since the Cheonan incident in 2010. sudden stoparoused widespread attention.
North Korea train departs, South Korea takes a step back
Kim Jong-un chose to travel to Beijing on a special train rather than a special plane. The decision was very particular. Trains need to travel from Pyongyang to Beijing 20 to 24 hoursAlthough slower than an airplane, it is safer and more in line with the travel tradition of North Korean leaders.
This is the third time that Kim Jong-un has visited China by special train. In March 2018 and January 2019, he also came to China by train. This visit is of great significance. After all, it has been six years and the international situation has undergone great changes.
For the special train to pass smoothly, passenger trains from Dandong to Beijing were suspended for two days from September 1. Our hotel in Dandong, China, located on the North Korean border with China, also does not accept foreign reservations. These special arrangements show the importance of this visit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has already arrived in China. On the morning of August 31, Putin arrived in Tianjin by special plane to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Putin this time The lineup is quite strongThey brought three deputy prime ministers, more than a dozen ministers, and representatives of major enterprises.
Putin's visit to China will last for four days, which is quite unusual and has been described as "unprecedented." This fully demonstrates the importance Russia attaches to Sino-Russian relations.
After attending the SCO summit in Tianjin, Putin will also travel to Beijing to attend the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. In this way, Putin and Kim Jong-un will meet in Beijing.
On the same day that Kim Jong-un's special train departed, the South Korean Ministry of Defense issued an announcement stating that the production and broadcasting of "Voice of Freedom" to North Korea would be completely stopped starting from September 1. it's a quite important signal。
This "Voice of Freedom" broadcast is no ordinary radio program. It was produced by the Korean Army Psychological Warfare Group from the perspective of psychological warfare against North Korea. The content includes news related to the North Korean regime, South Korea's development status, a comparison of South Korea's systems, and South Korea's latest popular culture.
This broadcast has been broadcast since the Cheonan incident in 2010, but now it has suddenly stopped. This is indeed the first time in 15 years. Since June this year, the South Korean military has first interrupted loudspeaker broadcasts to North Korea on the South Korean border, and later removed loudspeaker equipment to North Korea installed on the South Korean border.
According to Russian media reports, during the military parade, Kim Jong-un will sit on the left side of the Chinese side, while Putin will sit on the right side of the Chinese side. If this seating arrangement is true, then Very particular。
This seating arrangement reflects the importance China attaches to the two leaders, as well as the special relationship between China, Russia and North Korea. From a historical perspective, both China, Russia and North Korea made important contributions and were closely linked in the Anti-Fascist War.
The Soviet Union was one of the main forces against Nazi Germany during World War II. At the same time, the Soviet Red Army sent troops to northeastern China and dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese Kwantung Army. Our China is the main eastern battlefield of the world's anti-fascist war and has waged 14 years of arduous resistance.
North Korea was also under Japanese colonial rule during World War II. The Korean people carried out heroic resistance movements. China and North Korea had a deep fighting friendship during the War of Resistance. This seating arrangement respects the common historical memory of the three countries.
Putin awaits Kim Jong-un, the possibility of a pattern in Northeast Asia
Putin arrived in China as early as August 31, while Kim Jong Un's special train left only on September 1. This means Putin will be in Beijing Waiting for Kim Jong Un's arrival。
There is widespread speculation that the two leaders may meet in Beijing. If it comes true, this will be a eye-catching "Pujin Fair". In the past two years, North Korea's support for Russia has been quite tangible, not just diplomatic verbal support, but actually sending troops to participate in the war and providing ammunition.
North Korea traded its flesh and blood for Russia's food and military technology, which was a very heavy investment. For Putin, being able to meet Kim Jong Un on a big occasion like Beijing is not only a gratitude to his allies, but also a demonstration to the world that Moscow is not isolated.
Kim Jong-un's visit may seem simple, but it contains far-reaching implications Strategic Considerations。A few days before his departure, he also hosted several commemorative and commendation activities related to Russia.
This is not only a gathering of the domestic people, telling everyone that North Korea and Russia have a close relationship, but also an echo of Russia. Then he walked to Beijing with this political capital, feeling like he was coming with a "gift."
North Korea has been seeking a balance between the three major powers of China, the United States and Russia. In the past, it relied on China, but now it is close to Russia, but it is unwilling to completely alienate us. This art of balance reflects the pragmatic orientation of North Korean diplomacy.
South Korea stopped broadcasting to North Korea, obviously showing goodwill to North Korea. Since the Lee Jae-ming administration came to power, it has always been using the banner of easing tensions on the peninsula. Although the focus of diplomacy is still biased towards the United States, it also wants to extend an olive branch to North Korea.
South Korea even sent a delegation to China to attend celebrations in Beijing. Although Li Zai-ming himself was not present in person, some of the representatives had drunk and had fun with Kim Jong Un. This detail was also deliberately exaggerated in order to let Pyongyang feel a hint of "human warmth."
But whether North Korea will buy it is another matter. From Kim Jong-un's perspective, South Korea's goodwill move is more a gesture than a real promise. The spring on the peninsula during the Moon Jae-in period is still vivid in my mind, but with Yoon Seok Yuet coming to power, South Korea's policy took a sharp turn, in exchange for hostility and military confrontation.
Kim Jong-un's visit is a rare one Multilateral debut, but in essence it still revolves around the triangular relationship between China, Russia and North Korea. Putin is waiting for Kim Jong Un in Beijing because he wants to "embody" Russia-North Korea cooperation on the stage in Beijing and let the whole world see their cooperative relationship.
South Korea's retreat is more of a reactive response, not wanting to be completely marginalized in the atmosphere of interaction between China, Russia and North Korea. It also indicates that the next few days will not only have the spectacle of a military parade in Beijing, but also a splendid diplomatic highlight.
The shifting balance of power in northeast Asia, with China, Russia and North Korea moving closer to each other, South Korea feeling pressure, and the relative decline of US influence, could shape the region for years to come.
It is no coincidence that Kim Jong-un's special train is slowly heading towards Beijing, Putin is already waiting in Tianjin, and South Korea has stopped broadcasting to North Korea. These three events happened almost simultaneously, but The changing geopolitical landscape of Northeast Asiaclear signal.
The appearance of the leaders of China, Russia and North Korea on the Tiananmen Gate as important players in the main eastern battlefield of World War II will convey strong symbolic significance. This image will have far-reaching international repercussions.
It remains to be seen whether South Korea's goodwill move to stop broadcasting to North Korea will be responded to by North Korea. But what is certain is that the balance of power in Northeast Asia is changing, and future developments deserve close attention.
References:
North Korea confirms that Kim Jong-un has left for China by special train and arrived in Beijing today. The lineup for his visit to China has been announced
2025-09-02 07:35·Dahe.com