North Korea Abandons the Communist Party of China: Is Kim San-pang Set to Part Ways With Brother Xi?

Kim Jong-un departed from Beijing to return to his country on the evening of the 4th. (Video screenshot)

[People News] The year 2026 is shaping up to be a challenging one for the Communist Party of China (CPC). In the first quarter, its younger allies have begun to act more like 'dangerous' brothers. For the CPC, this signals a troubling omen, suggesting that these allies are preparing to change their allegiances and distance themselves from the CPC, making it increasingly difficult for the party to maintain them as pawns or bargaining chips.

In January, Venezuela faced upheaval, followed by Cuba in February. In March, Iran also appeared on the brink of regime change. Meanwhile, North Korea made headlines just as the US-led coalition was engaged in military actions against Iran. Amidst the CPC's panic and confusion, North Korea delivered a shocking blow by publicly betraying the CPC and announcing its departure from socialism.

North Korea's constitution removes the term 'socialism'

On March 23, the first session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea convened in Pyongyang. This assembly is the highest national power organ in North Korea, and Kim Jong-un was re-elected as the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission. This outcome was expected, and the reasons are clear. However, what caught attention was that the representatives at the meeting reviewed and unanimously approved a draft amendment to the constitution, officially changing the title from the 'Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea' to simply the 'Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.' Following the earlier removal of references to 'communism,' this amendment further eliminated the term 'socialism' from the constitution's title. Zhao Yongyuan, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, remarked that this revision is 'to adapt to the requirements of the revolution entering a new stage of development.'

This action is regarded as a significant political signal, seemingly based on the objective needs of North Korea's development, aligning the constitutional content with the current national foreign stance and the prevailing development environment. In truth, it serves as a precise response to the increasingly apparent international climate that is targeting communism.

For a long time, North Korea has been a key player in the anti-American camp, alongside the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Cuba, the Vietnamese Communist Party, and Iran, all of which are grouped together by the international community. The label of 'socialism' is a vital ideological link for this coalition. For over a decade, the CCP has stressed the importance of building socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, developing an extensive array of new concepts, ideas, and theories related to socialism.

The dynamics of the world and the situation do not change according to the will of political parties or organisations. No one could have predicted that after Trump unexpectedly captured Maduro, a close ally of the CCP, he would then eliminate another set of the CCP's allies: Khamenei and his aides, with Iran being identified by U.S. officials as one of the four nations in the axis of evil. Iran is either facing regime change or is ineffective in the CCP's mediation efforts. Recently, Foreign Minister Wang Yi repeatedly urged Iran to allow CCP vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran declined, stating it could only permit some ships arriving in Iran to pass safely. The CCP only realised its misfortune when it discovered that this once-close ally had now become distant. The CCP is certainly aware that this estrangement stems from its failure to meet Iran's military assistance needs. However, how could it openly provide such support? Wouldn't that be equivalent to openly courting disaster in front of the West? What the CCP fails to understand is that in times of crisis, self-interest often leads to mutual exclusion, and even to kicking someone when they are down.

Recently, North Korea unexpectedly took the initiative to remove the label of 'socialism' from its fundamental law, which is interpreted as a move to weaken its ideological ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and to distance itself from the CCP's traditional 'socialist camp.' This shift appears to align North Korea more closely with the mainstream global system, effectively taking advantage of the CCP's current challenges and delivering a blow to it from behind.

Numerous analysts have suggested that after the United States addresses the situation in Iran, North Korea, which is also pursuing nuclear weapons, could be the next target. In recent days, news outlets covering international political dynamics have been buzzing, with netizens expressing their surprise and asking if North Korea fears becoming the next 'leader to go first'; are they now seeking ways to ensure their own survival?

Why is the CCP silent on this matter?

In response, the CCP has resorted to its usual tactic of 'playing deaf and mute.' The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and party media have maintained a conspicuous silence. A few days later, only a couple of mainland media websites provided brief reports of under a hundred words: On the second day of the first session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly, Chairman Zhao Yongyuan delivered a report. Zhao explained the contents of the legal draft following the constitutional amendments, and the assembly unanimously voted to pass the decree titled 'On the Amendment and Supplement of the Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.' Isn't that interesting? The CCP is clearly reluctant to discuss North Korea's departure from 'socialism' in detail.

Why are they hesitant to speak? Because the CCP feels the weight of pressure mounting and is aware of the shifting trends in international affairs.

In 2024, following the overthrow of the Syrian regime, Al-Assad (Āsādé), a close ally, fled to Russia seeking political asylum. After the Nepalese Communist Party Secretary Oli (Àolì) was ousted by the people, and with the loss of control over the Panama Canal and the burning of the Cuban Communist Party headquarters, as well as the economic blockade from Europe and Latin America aligning with the United States... now, even Vietnam has made it clear that it will not accept the dictatorship of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Vietnam has officially launched the Starlink low-orbit satellite internet system, directly challenging the CCP's internet censorship and information monopoly.

For a long time, the CCP has regarded Marxism and socialism as the foundation of its legitimacy to govern. Xi Jinping has been pushing the so-called 'global communist narrative' in an effort to sustain the ideological camp. However, North Korea has now abandoned the term 'socialism,' and phrases like 'like-minded countries,' 'community of shared destiny,' and 'camp unity' are becoming increasingly hollow, leading to further disintegration at the national level. Externally, it is becoming difficult to still identify as a 'camp,' while internally, the CCP faces pressure from the erosion of its narrative foundation.

As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours; even Kim Jong-un (Jīn Sān Pàng) is making matters worse. Before the US-Iran war, Trump had originally planned to visit Beijing at the end of March and even called for him to launch missiles. Now, in May, Trump claims he wants to come again, still hoping for him to launch missiles and make statements about nuclear research? Does he expect him to provide leverage to the CCP in exchange for political gains? It's a pipe dream.

The Chinese Communist Party has never experienced such profound loneliness as it does now, with a sense of impending collapse looming like a dust storm. What can the CCP say in response? Condemn the situation? Show respect for the choices made by the North Korean people? Advocate for non-interference in internal affairs? None of these options seems feasible; how can they even express it? It is indeed a challenging predicament. Their allies are dwindling, their sphere of influence is shrinking, and this path may be approaching the brink of a cliff.

(First published by People News)
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