Xi Jinping Proposes Military Exchange, But North Korean Media Deliberately Omits It

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently made a state visit to North Korea. According to the Korean-language edition of the Chosun Ilbo, North Korean newspapers did not publish even a single line about Xi's remarks on military exchanges during the summit talks.

This was the seventh meeting between Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Analysts suggest that Xi's mention of strengthening military exchanges reflects China's concerns over the deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia. North Korea is accelerating the modernization of its nuclear and conventional weapons through military transactions with Russia, prompting China to seek greater oversight.

Xi visited North Korea on August 8–9. North Korea's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the summit results on the 9th but omitted key points from Xi's speech released by China's Xinhua News Agency, including proposals on military and law enforcement exchanges, as well as the full reopening of border crossings.

Rodong Sinmun stated that both leaders agreed to strengthen strategic communication through high-level exchanges and expand cooperation in political, economic, and cultural fields, but did not detail the content previously disclosed by China.

The day before, Xinhua reported that Xi proposed: 'China and North Korea should make positive contributions to regional and global peace, stability, development, and prosperity. Both sides should strengthen exchanges in diplomacy, law enforcement, and the military.'

The Chosun Ilbo's Chinese website noted that explicitly mentioning expanded military exchanges during a summit is highly unusual. A South Korean government official said, 'Unlike the 2019 inter-Korean summit, North Korea's Defense Minister, No Kwang-chol, attended this meeting, suggesting a focus on military cooperation—an unprecedented move.'

Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said, 'Viewing military exchange as joint exercises or direct cooperation is superficial. The real significance lies in China gaining insights into North Korea's military technological advancements and Russian technology transfers through personnel exchanges and intelligence sharing, as well as understanding internal military networks aligned with Russia or China.'

North Korea's omission of these details in domestic reporting suggests it has recognized China's intentions and is protecting its defense autonomy.

Moreover, Rodong Sinmun significantly downplayed Xi's remarks on economic and personnel exchanges. Xinhua reported that Xi called for 'strengthening strategic alignment' and 'expanding practical cooperation in trade, agriculture, construction, science and technology, and healthcare to better benefit both peoples.' He also urged expanding people-to-people exchanges by fully reopening border ports and restoring civil aviation flights and international passenger trains.

Despite the direct impact these measures would have on North Korean citizens, Rodong Sinmun made no mention of them. (Edited by Zhu Jianling / Yang Shengru)