SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed North Korea’s commitment to strengthening relations with China in a message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
Kim sent the letter Monday in response to Xi’s congratulatory message on his reelection as general secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea during the party’s congress last month.
In the message, Kim emphasized Pyongyang’s intention to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
“It is an unwavering stance of our party and the government to solidify and develop the traditional North Korea-China friendship in a way that meets the new demands of the times and the aims of the two countries’ peoples,” Kim said.
He also expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries and their ruling parties would continue to deepen.
“I believe that cooperation between the North Korean and Chinese parties and the two countries will grow closer on their common path to advance the socialist cause,” Kim added.
The exchange of messages comes amid speculation about the possibility of renewed dialogue between the United States and North Korea ahead of a planned visit by Donald Trump to China from March 31 to April 2.
Analysts say the communication between Kim and Xi may be intended to reaffirm ties and coordinate positions as regional developments unfold. However, prospects for renewed diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang remain uncertain.
According to Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University Institute for Far Eastern Studies, a key issue would be whether the United States is willing to recognize North Korea as a nuclear-armed state—something Washington has long rejected.
Observers also note that both Pyongyang and Beijing may be signaling closer solidarity as the United States pursues a more assertive foreign policy, including major international actions this year involving Venezuela and Iran.
Despite growing ties between North Korea and Russia, Lim said relations between Pyongyang and Beijing remain more fluid and could shift depending on global political developments.
