S. Korean Media: China-North Korea Military Cooperation Could Help Contain US
South Korean media reported that following Chinese President Xi Jinping's mention of 'military exchanges' during his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, military cooperation between China and North Korea could be strengthened. Analysts suggest that amid US-China rivalry, China may be re-evaluating North Korea's strategic value to disperse US military power in the Taiwan Strait region.
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- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 21:22
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(Central News Agency, reporter Zhang Shuling, Beijing, 10th) Chinese President Xi Jinping visited North Korea and mentioned 'strengthening military exchanges' during his talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Citing expert analysis, South Korean media reported that amid the US-China confrontation over the Indo-Pacific region, including the Taiwan Strait, China may be redefining North Korea's 'strategic value' and promoting military cooperation between the two countries.
Xi's visit to North Korea, the first in seven years, took place from the 8th to the 9th and was his first overseas trip this year. According to Xinhua News Agency, Xi proposed opinions on developing bilateral relations during his talks with Kim, which included strengthening exchanges in diplomacy, law enforcement, and the military.
Yonhap News Agency reported today that this is the first time Xi has mentioned 'military exchanges' since Kim came to power, and the fact that China's Defense Minister accompanied Xi on this visit has drawn attention.
The report predicts that China and North Korea may engage in exchanges of high-ranking military officials and unit-level exchanges in the future. There are also opinions that joint military exercises between North Korea and China, or between North Korea, China, and Russia, could be conducted, or that North Korea could participate in China-Russia joint exercises as an observer.
Analysts believe that if North Korea provokes on the Korean Peninsula, it could keep US Forces Korea stationed on the peninsula, preventing them from being deployed to the Taiwan Strait, thereby dispersing US military power in the region.
Yan Hyo-sik, head of the Defense and Security Office at the Korea Defense Security Forum (KODEF), a defense policy research institute, predicted that in military cooperation with China, North Korea could play a role in preventing US Forces Korea from exercising 'strategic flexibility,' helping China to contain the US.
According to Xinhua's report on the Xi-Kim summit, Kim stated that North Korea will always adhere to the 'One-China principle' and firmly support China's policies and positions in safeguarding its core interests. Separately, North Korea recently unveiled a plan to build a new type of destroyer, showcasing its naval power build-up.
The report quoted Du Jin-ho, director of the Eurasian Research Center at the Korea National Strategy Institute, as saying that China needs to check the US's Indo-Pacific strategy, and North Korea is developing in a direction that allows it to perform operational missions in the Indo-Pacific region. North Korea has clearly supported the 'One-China principle' in its policy while signaling that it could provide maritime power support if necessary.
However, the report noted that North Korean media did not report on the 'military exchanges' content of this Xi-Kim summit. Some believe that North Korea may be cautious about this, and it is still too early to conclude that North Korea and China will launch military cooperation on the Taiwan Strait issue. (Editor: Yang Shengru) 1150610
Xi's visit to North Korea, the first in seven years, took place from the 8th to the 9th and was his first overseas trip this year. According to Xinhua News Agency, Xi proposed opinions on developing bilateral relations during his talks with Kim, which included strengthening exchanges in diplomacy, law enforcement, and the military.
Yonhap News Agency reported today that this is the first time Xi has mentioned 'military exchanges' since Kim came to power, and the fact that China's Defense Minister accompanied Xi on this visit has drawn attention.
The report predicts that China and North Korea may engage in exchanges of high-ranking military officials and unit-level exchanges in the future. There are also opinions that joint military exercises between North Korea and China, or between North Korea, China, and Russia, could be conducted, or that North Korea could participate in China-Russia joint exercises as an observer.
Analysts believe that if North Korea provokes on the Korean Peninsula, it could keep US Forces Korea stationed on the peninsula, preventing them from being deployed to the Taiwan Strait, thereby dispersing US military power in the region.
Yan Hyo-sik, head of the Defense and Security Office at the Korea Defense Security Forum (KODEF), a defense policy research institute, predicted that in military cooperation with China, North Korea could play a role in preventing US Forces Korea from exercising 'strategic flexibility,' helping China to contain the US.
According to Xinhua's report on the Xi-Kim summit, Kim stated that North Korea will always adhere to the 'One-China principle' and firmly support China's policies and positions in safeguarding its core interests. Separately, North Korea recently unveiled a plan to build a new type of destroyer, showcasing its naval power build-up.
The report quoted Du Jin-ho, director of the Eurasian Research Center at the Korea National Strategy Institute, as saying that China needs to check the US's Indo-Pacific strategy, and North Korea is developing in a direction that allows it to perform operational missions in the Indo-Pacific region. North Korea has clearly supported the 'One-China principle' in its policy while signaling that it could provide maritime power support if necessary.
However, the report noted that North Korean media did not report on the 'military exchanges' content of this Xi-Kim summit. Some believe that North Korea may be cautious about this, and it is still too early to conclude that North Korea and China will launch military cooperation on the Taiwan Strait issue. (Editor: Yang Shengru) 1150610
FAQ
What is the core of this news?
China may be seeking to increase its leverage against the US over the Taiwan Strait by strengthening military cooperation with North Korea.
Why did South Korean media report this?
South Korea is geographically adjacent to North Korea and is directly affected by China-North Korea military cooperation.
Is North Korea proactive in this move?
North Korean media did not report on 'military exchanges,' indicating a cautious stance.