North Korea's Vice Minister of National Defense returns to China after seven years to attend the Xiangshan Forum, reflecting an upgraded emphasis on relations with China.
On September 15, the North Korean Ministry of National Defense issued a statement confirming that a five-member delegation led by Vice Minister Kim Gang-il has traveled to China to attend the 13th Xiangshan Forum. Our military attaché in Pyongyang saw them off at the Pyongyang airport.
This visit by Kim Gang-il marks the first time since 2019 that North Korea has sent a delegation at the vice-ministerial level to attend the Xiangshan Forum. Previously, participation was suspended due to the pandemic and bilateral relations, and only a military attaché-level representative attended in 2024.
The resumption of a vice-ministerial-level visit by North Korea carries significant implications, underscoring the accelerating warming of relations between the two countries. Building on political and economic foundations, North Korea is now expanding cooperation into the realm of military diplomacy, laying the groundwork for future military exchanges between China and North Korea.
In addition, through this international military diplomacy platform—the Xiangshan Forum—North Korea aims to broaden its external relations, project an image of openness, engage with friendly nations, maintain necessary contact with Western countries, and pave the way toward lifting international sanctions and advancing its domestic economy.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876459970188288/
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