Kim Jong-un, often criticized for his human rights record and political style, has firmly established himself as one of the world’s most successful national leaders, according to analysis in The Times UK.
When Kim succeeded his late father in 2011, many observers dismissed him as inexperienced and unlikely to hold power for long. Today, he stands as North Korea’s most powerful and secure dictator in the nation’s history, having consolidated control through purges of potential rivals and by developing a nuclear arsenal that has drawn the attention of global leaders, including former US President Donald Trump.
On Wednesday, Kim is set to attend Beijing’s Tiananmen Square alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of China’s defeat of Japan. Once, a North Korean leader would have been just another face among global dignitaries. Now, Kim commands a level of respect and influence that reflects North Korea’s growing strategic weight.
In the past year, Kim has positioned North Korea as a central player in the alliance of anti-Western autocrats, seeking to extend influence across the “global south” and challenge US leadership. His partnership with Putin has evolved into a military alliance, with North Korean troops reportedly deployed to Ukraine, earning Moscow’s military and economic support.
Observers note that the degree of deference Kim receives from Chinese hosts will indicate the level of credit he has gained. While a trilateral summit with Xi and Putin may be unlikely, bilateral meetings underscore North Korea’s ability to leverage relationships with both powers. Analysts say Kim’s diplomacy echoes Cold War-era strategies of balancing China and Russia against each other to extract economic, military, and technological support.
Kim’s broader strategy appears aimed at strengthening his position ahead of potential talks with the United States. According to The Times UK, a deal with the US remains Kim’s ultimate objective, and support from Xi will be key in negotiating from a position of strength. Former President Trump has expressed interest in meeting Kim again this year, highlighting the continued significance of the North Korean leader on the global stage.
