Kim Jong Un plans rare trip outside North Korea

• Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un are set to join China's Xi Jinping at a major military parade in Beijing on 3 September.
• The 'Victory Day' parade commemorates Japan's formal surrender in 1945 and the end of the Second World War, serving as a display of unity among the three nations.
• Expected to be one of China's largest in years, the event will showcase advanced weaponry and host 26 foreign heads of state, though no leaders from the US or major Western countries will attend.
• Kim Jong Un's rare appearance is seen as an opportunity to broaden his global status and for the three countries to jointly respond to Western alliances.
• The gathering underscores the deepening military and economic ties between North Korea, Russia, and China, particularly as North Korea's sanctions are undermined and Russia seeks strategic partners.

IN FULL

Kim Jong Un to join Xi and Putin at Beijing military parade in rare trip outside North Korea