Overview

• North Korean state media carried Xi Jinping’s message saying China is ready to intensify strategic communication, expand visits and cooperate closely with Pyongyang.
• Kim Jong-un appeared with Xi and Vladimir Putin at China’s Victory Day parade and later met Xi, with official accounts omitting denuclearization unlike their 2018–19 summits.
• South Korea’s Unification Minister said Kim likely conditioned his attendance on dropping any denuclearization reference and cast the outing as a symbolic diplomatic win for Pyongyang.
• The minister also interpreted Kim’s pledge to support China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as tacit backing for potential action over Taiwan, citing KCNA’s wording.
• After returning home, Kim inspected a ground test of a high‑thrust solid‑fuel engine, state media said, underscoring continued advances in strategic weapons development.