North Korean leader Kim Jong Un showcased a remarkable evolution during his recent Beijing trip, confidently engaging with global leaders at a military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of World War II's end. Returning home Friday via armoured train, Kim appeared as a pivotal Eurasian player, laughing with allies Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, pledging support for Moscow's Ukraine war, and bolstering ties with China. He even brought his young daughter, a potential successor, signalling self-assurance.

This marks a stark contrast to Kim's early rule after his father's 2011 death, when analysts doubted his survival amid internal threats and isolation. Serious multilateral diplomacy was once unimaginable, but since 2018, Kim has pivoted, holding unprecedented summits with US President Donald Trump in Singapore, Vietnam, and the Korean border—though they failed to curb North Korea's nuclear pursuits. Critics argue Trump legitimised Kim, elevating him from pariah to dialogue partner.

Further trips include two to Russia—Vladivostok in 2019 and a space facility in 2023—for meetings with Putin. Unlike his father, Kim Jong Il, who limited travels to rare China train visits due to flight aversion and propaganda concerns, Kim has embraced broader diplomacy, avoiding Western forums but advancing North Korea's aims without scrutiny on human rights or nukes.

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"He now appears a seasoned realist and political survivor," said Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha Womans University, noting Kim's toolkit now includes "calculated diplomacy" alongside authoritarian tactics. Experts see this as leveraging alliances, especially China's economic lifeline, to sustain the regime amid sanctions. While not at UN or Western events, Beijing's gathering underscores Kim's growing international footprint.

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