Kim Jong-un to attend miliary parade in Beijing next week

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivers a speech on Aug 14 2025 in this photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency the following day Yonhap — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivers a speech on Aug. 14, 2025, in this photo released by the official [North] Korean Central News Agency the following day. Yonhap

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will visit Beijing next week to attend a military parade as part of China's "Victory Day" celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, state media reported on Thursday.

China's Foreign Ministry also unveiled on the same day the list of the event's attendees, which includes a score of heads of state and other leaders.

Also among the invitees for the event scheduled for Sept. 3 at Tiananmen Square was Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with other leaders and senior officials from Belarus, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Viet Nam.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik is also expected to attend on behalf of President Lee Jae-myung.

During the visit, Kim is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time in several years, amid a rift with his country's traditional ally, since Xi traveled to Pyongyang in June 2019.

With the leaders of China, North Korea, and Russia set to be in Beijing at the same time, speculation is already mounting over the possibility of a trilateral meeting.

Cheon Soram cheons@ajupress.com