General Kim finally waited.On October 9, a Chinese charter plane steadily landed at Pyongyang's Shuan International Airport, the ladder was put down, and the Chinese delegation came out of the cabin. The North's reception was large, and the North Korean Prime Minister Park Taizong's band personally arrived, the army sounded and the red flag floated.
It is worth noting that China's first sentence after landing was "China and North Korea are socialist neighbors connected by mountains and rivers and have profound traditional friendship." This sentence may seem diplomatic, but it contains a huge amount of information. It is both a political declaration and a strategic signal. First of all, looking at this visit, there is no doubt that it is a clear statement made by China at a specific point in time. The 80th anniversary of the founding of the Party is of great significance to North Korea. General Kim publicly proposed a few days ago that North Korea would achieve "new changes in various fields" within ten years.
This kind of statement often means opening a new stage in the political context of North Korea. From economy, science and technology to military affairs, he wants the world to see a different North Korea again. At this time, the arrival of Chinese charter flights and the visit of the highest-level delegation are just right. In other words, what General Kim is waiting for is not only a plane, but also a signal: he needs to confirm that North Korea's "new stage" will not be isolated.
The Chinese side’s phrase “Mountains connected, traditional friendship” sounds gentle, but falls in the political air of Pyongyang, is a solemn promise. It means that no matter how the international situation changes, China will not let North Korea down. The top leaders of the two countries have interacted many times in recent years, from Beijing to Pyongyang, from war commemoration activities to the party’s founding celebration, this has gone beyond the mere diplomatic ceremony, more like the continuation of trust between strategic partners.
General Jin obviously knew this very well. On the eve of the celebration, he visited the historical site of the founding of the Party and delivered a speech, proposing that "new changes will be brought within ten years." This is not an empty slogan. North Korea has experienced epidemic blockades, sanctions pressure and external isolation over the past few years, but it has maintained a relatively stable social order and defense system. The focus of North Korea's speech was on "speed" and "transformation", emphasizing the need to "achieve development at a faster speed than now". He knew that internal mobilization alone was not enough. He had to find support from the outside. And where does the support come from? Judging from the current situation, the answer is obvious: China and Russia.
In the early morning of the same day as the Chinese chartered plane arrived, Russia's Medvedev also flew to Pyongyang. The vice chairman of the Russian Security Council, known as "Putin's No. 2", released a video as soon as he got off the plane, with the caption: "The times are moving forward, friends are still company, but enemies are trembling." This sentence does not need much explanation, but the meaning is already very clear: Russia is here, friends are still there, and the West is afraid to go.
Western media immediately exploded, believing that this was a "diplomatic parallel unprecedented since the Cold War." China and Russia sent high-level delegations to North Korea almost simultaneously, an arrangement that is rarely seen in diplomacy. What does it mean? This means that China, Russia and North Korea are forming a realistic strategic fulcrum.
Of course, Medvedev's trip is not a purely courtesy visit. The delegation he brought with him was luxurious, ranging from ministers to governors, from the military to the cultural circles, covering almost all key sectors. This is not just attending the celebration, but more like a "political oath". He represented Putin and Moscow's strategic determination.
More importantly, this statement coincides with China's visit. On the one hand, China emphasizes "strategic communication and friendly cooperation," on the other hand, Russia declares that "the enemy is trembling." The former is gentle and firm, and the latter is strong and direct. The combination of the two creates a new diplomatic posture: China and Russia are both telling the world in their own ways that North Korea's role is being redefined.
In fact, North Korea has frequently appeared in international news in the past year, but unlike before, this time it is no longer a passive role. General Kim’s meeting with Putin, North Korea’s military assistance to Russia, and the re-contacts with China in many fields have given North Korea a sense of geopolitical presence again.
And this is exactly what General Kim really "awaited". It is not a certain meeting or a single aid, but North Korea's repositioning in the game of great powers. In the past it was passively defined, but now it actively builds relationships. By supporting Russia, welcoming China, and preparing for military parades, North Korea has put itself back at the center of international public opinion.
Some people say that the current "reversal of fate" of North Korea is no exaggeration. What General Kim waited for was not only a charter flight, but also a turning point of an era. From the former sanctioned country to today's diplomatic focus, North Korea has made itself seen by the world again through flexible operation.
It is foreseeable that Northeast Asia will enter a new equilibrium period in the next period of time. The United States, Japan and South Korea will continue to strengthen military cooperation, while China, Russia and the DPRK will respond with more economic and political interactions. There will be no direct conflict between the two sides, but the "game state" will exist for a long time. North Korea may continue to test missiles, Russia will continue to fight information warfare, and China will continue to promote peaceful dialogue, which will be the norm for a long time to come. For the West, this is a reality that must be faced squarely. Times do move forward. It's just that this time, it's not necessarily them who go ahead.