Why is Xi Jinping suddenly visiting North Korea, what is happening behind the scenes?

Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting North Korea after seven years. His meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is scheduled to take place in Pyongyang on Monday (June 8). Analysts consider Xi Jinping's visit to be very significant amid North Korea's growing military program and major changes in regional geopolitics.

Generally, Xi Jinping's foreign visits have decreased significantly in recent years. While major world leaders visit Beijing to meet with him, Xi Jinping himself is visiting Pyongyang—which proves how important this visit is to Beijing.

Statistics show that between 2013 and 2019, Xi made an average of 14 foreign visits per year, but between 2022 and 2025, this number will drop to just six per year.

Analysts say Xi Jinping's surprise visit could be a major factor in Beijing's growing concern over North Korea's growing closeness to Russia. Traditionally, Beijing has been the 'big brother' or main partner in the relationship between China and North Korea. North Korea relies on China for about 95 percent of its total trade. But since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this equation has begun to change.

North Korea has been supplying weapons, ammunition and troops to the Kremlin to meet its military needs in the Ukraine war. According to South Korea's Institute for National Security Strategy, Moscow has paid North Korea about $14.4 billion in troops and missiles since 2023. Much of this is believed to have reached Pyongyang in the form of secret military technology and precision components that evade satellite surveillance.

Lee Sang-yong, a South Korea-based researcher and journalist, said Beijing is wary of the extent of Russia's growing influence over North Korea. China wants to reassert its influence over North Korea so that Pyongyang does not completely lean towards Moscow. To maintain this influence, China may offer North Korea new major economic incentives or assistance.

In addition, the fact that Russia's advanced military technology has fallen into the hands of North Korea is also a cause for concern for China. William Yang, chief analyst for Northeast Asia at the International Crisis Group, said Beijing has always been wary of providing military assistance to North Korea. Because if North Korea becomes too strong, it could disrupt the balance of power and stability on the Korean peninsula.

North Korea has already conducted eight missile tests since the beginning of this year and unveiled an artificial intelligence-guided tactical cruise missile. Kim Jong-un also recently visited a factory producing components for nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, South Korea is also viewing China's visit positively in the current unstable situation on the Korean Peninsula. The South Korean Foreign Ministry has expressed hope that Xi Jinping's visit will play a constructive role in resolving the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. In addition, news of a possible military-logistical assistance agreement between South Korea and Japan and the increased activity of US allies in Asia are also forcing Beijing to strengthen its position in the region.

All in all, the main goal of Xi Jinping's visit is now to maintain Russia's shadow control over Kim Jong Un and its own geopolitical control in East Asia.

Source: Al Jazeera.