North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will likely seek additional Chinese economic support to secure a “lifeline for the regime” during his trip to Beijing this week, hedging against overdependence on Moscow ahead of an eventual end to the Ukraine war, according to Seoul’s spy agency on Tuesday.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) also assessed that Kim’s goal is to repair ties with China following earlier signs of souring relations, as well as to win Beijing’s backing ahead of potential talks with the U.S.

The spy agency delivered its assessments during a closed briefing at the National Assembly, with ROK