North Korea Highlights 'Xi Jinping's Third Term'... "Aiming to Strengthen Influence with China's Support"

Half of Rodong Sinmun's 6 Pages Dedicated... Kim Jong Un "Most Enthusiastic Congratulations"
"North Korea to Strengthen Relations with China and Advance Nuclear and Missile Capabilities"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] North Korea prominently featured the news of Chinese President Xi Jinping's third term.

In particular, the Rodong Sinmun, the Workers' Party's official newspaper, dedicated even its front page to congratulating President Xi on his re-election, which is interpreted as North Korea putting its life on the line to strengthen relations with China amid confrontations with South Korea, the United States, and Japan. There are also forecasts that North Korea, having joined China's 'anti-American alliance,' will further solidify its nuclear and missile influence in the international community going forward.

The Rodong Sinmun devoted half of its six pages in the April 24 issue to the news of President Xi's third term. The Chinese Communist Party officially confirmed Xi's third term at a press conference held immediately after the conclusion of the 1st Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee (1st Plenum) around 1 p.m. the previous day. Less than a day later, North Korea informed its citizens of Xi's long-term leadership.

Notably, the Rodong Sinmun published on its front page the full text of a congratulatory message sent by Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, to President Xi, along with an editorial stating, "We wish for the future of the Chinese Communist Party and the people under the leadership of Comrade Xi Jinping (Seupgeunpyeong) General Secretary." Publishing an editorial related to foreign affairs on the front page is considered highly unusual.

General Secretary Kim sent a congratulatory message immediately after Xi's third term was confirmed the previous day, saying, "Upon receiving the joyful news that you have been re-elected as General Secretary of the Party Central Committee, I send my most ardent congratulations."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the editorial, the newspaper conveyed the news of President Xi's third term, emphasizing that "the friendly cooperative relationship between the DPRK and China is becoming closer and continuously strengthening and developing despite the complex and complicated international situation," and that "the relationship between the two countries is a special friendship that cannot be separated."

It added, "The harsh reality in which imperialists are viciously scheming to obstruct the path of socialism for the two countries demands that the two parties and the peoples of the two countries unite firmly and strengthen cooperation."

This is interpreted as an expression of North Korea's intention to strengthen solidarity with China against the United States while continuing provocations using missiles and conventional forces after completing preparations for the 7th nuclear test. Above all, there are also views that North Korea will enhance its nuclear and missile influence, backed by China's support following the completion of President Xi's power restructuring.

Moon Sung-mook, head of the Unification Strategy Center at the National Strategy Institute, analyzed, "With President Xi's one-man rule established without opposition forces and both countries pursuing anti-American policies, Xi's re-election is quite reassuring for General Secretary Kim Jong-un," adding, "North Korea will continue attempts to increase its nuclear and missile influence and make nuclear possession a fait accompli while receiving China's support."

He continued, "With the possibility of intensified tensions in Northeast Asia, including the Korean Peninsula, due to President Xi's long-term leadership, we need to further strengthen our alliance with the United States from a security perspective," advising, "Especially since China aims to draw South Korea as an economic partner to its side, it is also important to wisely utilize and respond to this."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.