The Rodong Sinmun is clearly the organ of the Staff’ Celebration of Korea, however the October 24 concern of the newspaper was so peculiar that one would possibly assume that it had been revealed by the Chinese language Communist Celebration (CCP). The highest of the entrance web page confirmed a congratulatory message despatched by Kim Jong Un to Xi Jinping upon the latter’s election because the Celebration’s Common Secretary on the twentieth Celebration Congress of the CCP. Experiences about Kim’s actions normally seem above the fold on the entrance web page of the newspaper, and congratulatory messages in themselves should not uncommon, however Xi Jinping is the one overseas chief to have been given the qualifier “revered.”
Not solely that, however the contents had been excessive reward certainly. For example: “Please settle for my warmest congratulations to you … I’m satisfied that the CCP and the Chinese language individuals would win shining victory within the new journey for sustaining and creating socialism with the Chinese language traits and for constructing a comprehensively well-off trendy socialist state below your management.” This contrasts with the chilly congratulatory message despatched to the Celebration Congress 5 years in the past, when relations between China and North Korea had deteriorated significantly following North Korea’s repeated nuclear assessments.
But that wasn’t the most important shock. Subsequent to the congratulatory message was an editorial titled “Celebrating the Way forward for the Chinese language Communist Celebration and the Folks, Devoted to the Management of Comrade Common Secretary Xi Jinping.” Rodong Sinmun editorials should not revealed each day, however seem at the very least as soon as each two weeks. Normally the editorial praises Kim’s achievements and requires loyalty, appeals to the legitimacy of get together insurance policies, or promotes nationwide unity. Not often does it go into diplomacy or the state of affairs in different nations. However the October 24 editorial selected to deal with China’s inner politics.
It begins with the sentence “The twentieth Celebration Congress has efficiently concluded, changing into an excellent cease on the trail of socialism with Chinese language traits.” It goes on to heap lavish reward on Xi Jinping’s achievements in different areas, resembling poverty eradication and measures in opposition to infectious ailments, earlier than concluding, “The friendship between North Korea and China, which has a protracted historical past and custom, will proceed to be maintained below the clever management of the Supreme Leaders (Suryeong) of the 2 events and two nations, creating additional and responding to the wants of the instances.” The time period “Suryeong,” initially used for Kim Il Sung, is a special term that got here into use for Kim Jong Il after his dying and for Kim Jong Un solely two years in the past. However now it’s also being deployed for the chief of a neighboring nation.
In the meantime, web page 4 contained a full web page titled “Comrade Xi Jinping’s Report.” That is the primary time at the very least for the reason that finish of the Chilly Struggle that the state of affairs overseas has been reported in such element, and it reveals simply how a lot significance North Korea is attaching to friendly relations with China. As North Korea entered the COVID-19 pandemic at a time when its dialogues with the US and South Korea had been at an deadlock, China is the one nation it could possibly depend on for financial help, together with medical help. Even earlier than the pandemic, greater than 95 p.c of North Korea’s complete commerce was with China.
China-North Korea land commerce has lengthy been all but non-existent due to measures to stop the unfold of COVID, however some maritime commerce has continued. North Korea’s chief import is uncooked supplies for agricultural fertilizers. As well as, about 500,000 tons of crude oil is shipped yearly by pipeline. As North Korea struggles to attain self-sufficiency, Chinese language assist is indispensable.
On November 22, Xi Jinping despatched a reply expressing his gratitude and emphasizing the rising significance of China-North Korea relations. The extra heartfelt the textual content, the extra strain it places on North Korea to train restraint, which places the highlight on the seventh nuclear take a look at, the primary since September 2017. Greater than half a 12 months has already handed since North Korea accomplished preparations for an underground nuclear take a look at, and they’re mentioned to be within the “countdown part.” Why has this era of self-restraint continued regardless of Kim Jong Un personally issuing a significant directive to develop nuclear weapons on the eighth Congress of the Staff’ Celebration of Korea in January 2021?
The only purpose is that Beijing, which turns a blind eye to missile launches however is resolutely opposed nuclear assessments, is keeping track of it. China is worried a couple of “nuclear domino” impact, by which North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons results in rising public assist for the acquisition of nuclear weapons in South Korea, Japan, and even Taiwan. Not solely that, however since North Korea’s nuclear take a look at web site will not be removed from the border with China, and going forward with the take a look at may trigger an earthquake in China, with a danger of radiation leakage.
As acknowledged within the new nuclear doctrine offered on September 8, Kim has sole authority to make nuclear-related choices. He continues to rigorously think about whether or not to prioritize the political and diplomatic pursuits of North Korea’s friendship with China, or to favor North Korea’s personal navy pursuits, as he plans the timing of the take a look at.
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