North Koreans are reacting in various ways to documentary footage of their leader Kim Jong Un’s recent visit to China. Some express despair over images of China’s development, while others hope North Korea’s relationship with China will improve.
On Sept. 6 at noon, Korea Central TV aired a 50-minute documentary titled “Dear Comrade Kim Jong Un’s visit to the People’s Republic of China to participate in commemorative events to mark the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the Chinese people’s war against Japan and the world anti-fascist war, Sept. 2-4, 2025.” This broadcast came less than 24 hours after Kim returned from his trip to China.
The video was intended to showcase the regime’s and leader’s greatness by highlighting Kim’s diplomatic activities on the international stage alongside Chinese and Russian leaders.
“People felt frustrated after watching the documentary of the Supreme Leader’s visit to China as they compared the reality between China and our nation,” a Daily NK source in North Hamgyong province said recently. “People were terribly shocked at how advanced China’s weapons were, and even more so by how wealthy China appeared compared to North Korea.”
According to the source, people in the border city of Hoeryong reacted coldly after seeing the documentary. They noted that China possessed nuclear weapons and modern weaponry while still offering a high standard of living, whereas conditions in North Korea grew worse daily. “We’re forced to tighten our belts because we must have nuclear weapons, we’re told, while we continue growing poorer—it’s a stark contrast with China,” they said.
A similar mood emerged in Hyesan, Ryanggang province. “We knew China was well off, but most people felt that more keenly after watching the documentary,” a source in the province said. “Some people even said it would be better for North Korea to show off its military power while providing for its people like China does.”
Some people in Hyesan, noting China’s modern, cutting-edge weapons displayed in the military parade, said North Korea was still “far off” from being a nuclear powerhouse. A few even complained that if North Korea continued investing solely in nuclear weapons, “our lives won’t improve and the future looks dark.”
Border regions pin hopes on trade revival
In Sinuiju, North Pyongan province, hope is growing for restored trade between North Korea and China.
According to a source in North Pyongan province, people in Sinuiju interpret Kim’s visit to China as signaling a restoration of “traditional friendship” between the two countries. They’re also expressing hope that economic cooperation and trade will expand.
Sinuiju residents are particularly eager for improved North Korea-China ties because the bilateral relationship directly impacts their lives, the source said. “People have long made their living through trade with China,” the source explained. “In the past, people earned foreign currency by selling goods imported from China, but now they can’t make a living because trade has been cut off.”
Sinuiju residents argue coldly that cooperation with Russia “was only good for the state, while offering people little help in their individual lives.” They say most North Korea-Russia transactions “are state-to-state, with almost no foreign currency reaching the public.”
In contrast, people argue that trade with China differs significantly in economic impact—it directly links to people’s incomes through private-level transactions, leading to more immediate market activity. People hope to see concrete changes soon, including more relaxed customs processes and increased trade volume.
“People even say Russia is good for the state and China is good for our livelihoods,” the source said. “Interest in the Supreme Leader’s visit to China ultimately stems from the realistic belief that China is the only channel that will directly benefit our lives.”
Meanwhile, North Koreans have responded in various ways to Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, accompanying her father to Beijing. According to sources, people say the elder Kim “is giving his child experiences he couldn’t have when he was young,” and that Ju Ae “grows more beautiful, and her fashion more sophisticated, every time she appears on TV.”
In South Korea, speculation about Kim Ju Ae potentially succeeding her father as North Korea’s next leader resurfaced after her China appearance. Similar speculation has emerged in North Korea, though this remains a minority opinion—the dominant view is that she has very little chance of becoming North Korea’s leader. People dismiss talk of the daughter becoming successor as rumors circulate that the elder Kim also has a son.
The source in Ryanggang province said when Kim Ju Ae first appeared on TV, people wondered if she might be the next leader. “However, this lost persuasiveness as rumors spread that Kim Jong Un had a son,” the source said. “Even with this latest trip, more people believe Kim simply brought his daughter along.”
Some people believe Kim Ju Ae’s frequent appearances serve to condition the public for an upcoming fourth hereditary power succession.
“People think one of the Supreme Leader’s children will clearly become the next leader, and that frequently showing the daughter will make us naturally accept this,” the source said. “However, negative sentiment is also widespread—namely, that if the next leader continues ruling like the current one, our lives won’t get any better.”
