Three Out of Six Pages Devoted to Coverage of Kim's Visit to China
On September 4, the North Korean Workers' Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, gave prominent coverage to State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un's attendance at the 80th anniversary military parade commemorating China's Victory Day the previous day.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Rodong Sinmun devoted pages 1 to 3 out of its total 6 pages to news of Chairman Kim's visit to China, actively informing its readers.
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un is seen shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 80th anniversary celebration of China's Victory Day held in Beijing on the 3rd. Photo by Korean Central News Agency, Yonhap News Agency
First Meeting Since 1959 Between Kim Il Sung, Mao Zedong, and Khrushchev
On the front page, the newspaper placed a photo in the upper right corner showing Chairman Kim standing shoulder to shoulder with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Tiananmen Gate, alongside other leaders of major powers. This was the first time in 66 years that the leaders of North Korea, China, and Russia had gathered together since the 1959 meeting between Kim Il Sung, Mao Zedong, and Khrushchev. In addition, the front page featured images of Chairman Kim warmly shaking both hands with President Xi and smiling broadly, as well as greeting Xi's wife, Peng Liyuan, highlighting the restoration of previously strained relations with China.
The second page of the newspaper was filled exclusively with photographs, without any text. The main focus was on Chairman Kim walking on the red carpet and conversing with about 20 other heads of state before ascending to the gate. This appears intended to emphasize the success of Chairman Kim's debut in multilateral diplomacy.
Chairman Kim Rides in President Putin's Exclusive Limousine
Chairman Kim is riding together with President Putin in the exclusive limousine 'Aurus' and having a friendly conversation. Photo by Korean Central News Agency, Yonhap News Agency
The third page covered Chairman Kim's attendance at the reception hosted by President Xi after the parade, as well as the North Korea-Russia summit. The newspaper published a photo of Chairman Kim riding in President Putin's exclusive limousine, the 'Aurus'-a photo not reported by Russian media such as TASS. After the Victory Day banquet the previous day, Chairman Kim and President Putin held a bilateral summit at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse for two hours and thirty minutes. The photos of the meeting included images of the two leaders embracing and Chairman Kim smiling broadly as he lightly held President Putin's left arm.
Representatives from various countries attending the 80th anniversary celebration of China's Victory Day held in Beijing on the 3rd are taking a group photo. Photo by Korean Central News Agency, Yonhap News Agency
National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik, who attended the parade, appeared in Rodong Sinmun only as part of a group photo.
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