Kim Jong-un Focuses On Nuclear And Missiles, Pyongyang-Beijing Relations Have Dropped To Their Lowest Point

JAKARTA - North Korea's relations with China were at a low point when Kim Jong-un chose to focus on developing nuclear weapons and missiles, before slowly improving and supported by the efforts of the Chinese Ambassador in Pyongyang.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un praised the outgoing Chinese ambassador Li Jinjun, calling him helping to improve relations between Pyongyang and Beijing, state media KCNA said.

Li will leave his position after seven years in office. Kim Jong-un's praise was given to Li by Choe Ryong Hae, a top official in the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. Li also met with North Korean Prime Minister Kim Tok Hun, KCNA reported.

"Kim Jong Un highly commended the ambassador for successfully assisting several DPRK-China summits over the past seven years, making many efforts to develop friendly relations between the two sides and the two countries and sharing bitter and sweet with the Korean people," Choe told Li, using the initials of North Korea's official name, citing Reuters December 23.

Kim Jong-un is very satisfied that North Korea-China relations have entered a "new heyday" under the leadership of each country's ruling parties, Choe said.

Meanwhile, Li asked Choe to express his gratitude to Kim and congratulate the North Korean people for "making progress in all areas of socialist construction," KCNA said.

China has been North Korea's only major ally since the two signed the agreement in 1961, and international sanctions imposed over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs have made it more dependent than ever on Beijing for trade and other support.

Since Li was appointed in 2015, relations between the two countries have experienced major ups and downs.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent China-North Korea relations to a historic low by prioritizing the development of nuclear weapons and missiles, then harshly criticized Beijing for supporting international sanctions.

However, starting in 2018, Kim managed to quickly mend ties and made his first known international trip as a leader to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. President Xi then visited Pyongyang, the first by a Chinese leader in 14 years.

To note, Ambassador Li is one of a number of foreign diplomats returning from Pyongyang, as many embassies were closed during North Korea's strict anti-pandemic lockdown that prevented staff rotation or new ambassadors.