The reclusive North Korean leader seized the global spotlight with a high-profile debut in multilateral diplomacy, standing shoulder to shoulder with Xi and Russia’s Vladimir Putin in a defiant demonstration to the West that he enjoys the backing of the world’s two most powerful autocrats – and a central role in the alternative global order they are shaping.
On the sidelines, Kim underscored his bond with Putin, who vowed to “never forget” the sacrifices of North Korean troops fighting for Russia against Ukraine. He also held his first summit with Xi in six years, restoring ties with a longtime patron strained by Pyongyang’s growing military alliance with Moscow.
