The banquet hall during the inter-Korean summit, as shown by Korean Central TV on the 6th. [Yonhap News] President Xi Jinping visited North Korea from June 8th to 9th. Many political, military, and North Korea experts have written extensively on this matter. While I am neither a political nor a military expert, nor possess such capabilities, I will offer a few thoughts from the perspective of a North Korean.  

Firstly, Xi Jinping's purpose for visiting North Korea was not as straightforward as many might assume. It was a somewhat awkward visit, particularly as he was in no position to lecture Kim Jong Un on issues like nuclear weapons.

Currently, Xi Jinping finds himself in a precarious situation due to U.S. President Trump, having lost Venezuela and Iran, facing a severe economic downturn and domestic political challenges. He is especially in a difficult position after a complete defeat in his talks with Trump and having agreed to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

Therefore, Xi Jinping's visit was an unavoidable one, driven by a sense of urgency to explain the outcomes of his meeting with Trump to Kim Jong Un and to prevent losing North Korea, which was already drifting further away.

Consequently, Xi Jinping made significant efforts during this visit to mend the relationship with North Korea, which had been growing distant, using economic aid as leverage and to maintain the alliance.

Secondly, while some may speculate that the North Korean nuclear issue was discussed, this is absolutely not the case.
Xi Jinping well understands that he has no right to say anything to North Korea about its nuclear program. He also knows that any attempt to force the issue would immediately end North Korea-China relations.

Xi Jinping is aware that North Koreans harbor very negative sentiments towards China and that China is not in a position to dictate terms to North Korea.

Therefore, Xi Jinping did not utter a single word about the North Korean nuclear issue, which he had discussed with President Trump, during this visit.

Thirdly, some people seem to believe that Xi Jinping resolved China's access to the East Sea via the Tumen River, which is a grave misunderstanding. In April, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited North Korea, raised this issue, but returned empty-handed without receiving a definitive answer.

North Korea offered only ambiguous diplomatic responses regarding the Tumen River development, neither a firm "no" nor a firm "yes." This time, Xi Jinping also returned without receiving any definitive commitment, only promising substantial aid.

In fact, the issue of opening the Tumen River is a very serious matter. The lower 17 km section of the Tumen River forms the border between Russia and North Korea.

If the Tumen River is opened, Chinese naval activity will extend not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to Russia and Japan.

Therefore, neither Russia nor North Korea would ever permit this. Especially North Korea, which views China as a millennial adversary, cannot allow it.

There is one point that needs to be addressed here. Some political scientists suggest that Putin, currently caught in the trap of the Russia-Ukraine war, might approve the Tumen River issue. This is incorrect. As the proverb goes, "Even rotten fish is still a hairtail," implying that no matter how cornered Putin may be, he would not be foolish enough to cede his back to China.

Furthermore, some people believe that a starving North Korea would open the Tumen River and grant access to the East Sea in exchange for economic aid. This is an ignorant and foolish judgment that shows a complete lack of understanding of North Korea.

Some Koreans believe that North Korea is under China's control, but it is rather North Korea that holds China's weaknesses and uses them to its advantage according to its own situation. For China, North Korea is like a hot potato that cannot be discarded nor swallowed.

In conclusion, Xi Jinping's visit has merely inflated Kim Jong Un's bargaining power and nothing more. Instead, it appears China will be compelled to generously provide promised supplies to try and win over North Korea. North Korea is currently abuzz with praise for Kim Jong Un, hailing him as a genius of diplomacy.

Furthermore, heavy-duty vehicles and various construction machinery, which China produced 10-20 years ago and could not sell, are already being supplied to North Korea at low prices, and this trend is likely to continue.

Not only that, but surveillance cameras, which were only installed around foreign embassies in Pyongyang a few years ago, are now being imported in large quantities from China, produced 10 years ago and stored in warehouses, effectively placing the entire North Korea under a digital surveillance network.

China is pretending to be generous by giving North Korea unsold goods that have been stockpiled from mass production a decade ago at low prices.

South Korea does not need to have an overly idealized view of China, nor should it worry excessively.
Although it may sound laughable, North Korea has actually been protecting South Korea from Russia and China for a long time.

Instead, it is South Koreans who should be concerned about their own actions, obsequiously offering South Korea's seas, land, and even their government to China with phrases like "Xièxie se."

◆ Advisor Kim Tae-san

Advisor at the Hankyoreh-Ilbo, former representative of a North Korean trading company in the Czech Republic. In South Korea, he has served as Vice President of the North Korean Society Research Institute, providing deep insights and experience on inter-Korean relations and North Korean issues.