Kim Jong-un turns weak hand into geopolitical leverage against China and US
North Korea's leader wins concessions from Xi while avoiding denuclearization talks.
In his SCMP column, Alex Lo argues that Kim Jong-un has emerged as the most clever geopolitical player by turning North Korea's weaker hand into strategic advantage. At the recent summit with Xi Jinping, both leaders achieved their goals: Xi secured North Korea's loyalty amid US-led containment, while Kim avoided any commitment to denuclearization. Xi completely ignored the nuclear issue, which some interpret as tacit endorsement of North Korea's nuclear status.
Kim now has options beyond China, including closer ties with Moscow, giving him leverage. Lo contrasts this with Israel's nuclear status, noting that a nuclear-armed North Korea has been a stabilizing factor rather than a destabilizing one. The column suggests that the West's long-standing demand for denuclearization has lost its force, as even Western analysts admit the summit was a success for both sides.
- Bloomberg reported both Xi and Kim left the summit with what they wanted
- Xi ignored nuclear disarmament, hinting at tacit acceptance of North Korea's nuclear weapons
- Kim maintains China as top priority but now has strategic options with Russia
Why It Matters
Kim's diplomatic game reshapes Asia-Pacific power dynamics, challenging US containment strategy.