Kim’s Closeness With Putin Tests North Korea’s Alliance With China [Video]

While China remains outwardly sanguine on North Korea, subtle differences in their diplomatic relations this year may signal rising frustration with Kim Jong Un‘s deepening military cooperation with Russia.

Why It Matters

North Korea and China, long the reclusive country’s only ally, declared 2024, the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, to be their “Year of Friendship.” However, there have been no high-level Chinese exchanges since April, when Beijing sent one of its most senior officials, Zhao Leji, to Pyongyang for the opening ceremony.

Unlike past “Friendship Years,” such as the 60th anniversary in 2009, there has been no mention of a closing ceremony in Beijing.

What To Know

Beijing’s silence follows speculation over Xi Jinping‘s omission of a traditional phrase in his correspondence with Kim. Responding to Kim’s…