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| North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un (File Photo) |
By Alexandre Dor
Kim Jong-un’s decision not to attend China’s military parade caps growing trend of self-inflicted isolation.
North Korea is about as isolated diplomatically as it ever has been. After declining an invitation to China’s celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reasserted his refusal to make his first out-of-country visit as head of state because Xi Jinping refused to sit next to Kim on the reviewing stand.
According to the September 1 edition of KGS’s NightWatch, “North Korea insisted their Supreme Leader receive the highest honors as a guest” and be placed on Xi’s right hand side. When informed by the Chinese that he would be placed at the end of the reviewing stand, Kim canceled. In an attempt to snub China back, North Korea sent Choe Ryong-hae, secretary for the Korean Workers’ Party and chairman of the State of Physical Culture and Sports Commission, in Kim’s place.
While North Korea’s delegate was relegated to the sideline, South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye was placed only one seat over from President Xi Jinping, closer than any other leader except Vladimir Putin. The symbolism was loud and clear.
Read the full story at The Diplomat