Kim Jong Un's Mysterious China Visit: Six Clues to a Bigger Crisis

Nov 02, 2026 - 11:02

What does Kim Jong Un know about Xi Jinping's political future?
Just days after bizarre rumors of his death, Kim made a sudden, unannounced visit to China—just 48 hours before the CCP's crucial Fifth Plenum. No Beijing. No meeting with Xi Jinping. Just a few hours in a border city with Wang Huning, one of China's top political strategists.
Why the rush? Was Kim seeking answers about a possible power struggle in Beijing? And could the death rumors have served a hidden political purpose?
We examine six unusual clues behind Kim's mysterious visit—and what they might reveal about Xi Jinping's grip on power.