Why Kim May Have Been the Real Winner in Pyongyang

Jun 10, 2026 - 09:51

Xi Jinping's first overseas trip in seven months was supposed to showcase China's influence over North Korea. But did it? In this program, we examine the unusual details of Xi's visit to Pyongyang, from the surprising "good health" chants and scaled-back welcome ceremony to Kim Yo-jong's public rejection of denuclearization just before Xi arrived. We also explore Kim Jong-un's strategic balancing act between China, Russia, and the United States, why North Korea is moving away from traditional communism, and why some analysts believe Kim—not Xi—walked away as the bigger winner. Finally, we'll look at two remarkable historical precedents involving Hua Guofeng and Zhao Ziyang that may shed light on the risks Xi faces when he returns to Beijing.