In a surprising move, North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un and China's President Xi Jinping have jointly declared 2024 as the 'Year of Friendship' between their two nations. According to North Korea's state news agency, the declaration seeks to strengthen the ties of friendship and unity, while promoting exchanges in various fields including politics, economy, and culture. However, analysts suggest that this proclamation may be a veiled message aimed at the West, particularly the United States.
Discussions surrounding the alliance between North Korea and China are not new. These communist dictatorships have maintained a close relationship for several decades, viewing the world through a similar lens that may not necessarily align with the interests of the average individual. This declaration of friendship, therefore, may not come as a surprise to many international observers.
