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[HOT LINKS] As South Korea and China get cozy, where does North Korea fit?

July 2, 2014
South Korean President Park Geun-hye, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping wave during a welcoming ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Thursday, June 27, 2013. The Chinese and South Korean presidents reaffirmed close ties between their nations Thursday at a Beijing summit that brings together North Korea's archrival and its biggest ally, ratcheting up pressure on Pyongyang to rejoin nuclear disarmament talks. (AP Photo/Wang Zhao, Pool)

South Korean President Park Geun-hye, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping wave during a welcoming ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Thursday, June 27, 2013. The Chinese and South Korean presidents reaffirmed close ties between their nations Thursday at a Beijing summit that brings together North Korea’s archrival and its biggest ally, ratcheting up pressure on Pyongyang to rejoin nuclear disarmament talks. (AP Photo/Wang Zhao, Pool)

[CNN] – When President Xi Jinping arrives in Seoul this week, the Chinese leader will have passed over North Korea in favor of its arch rival.

Although Beijing remains North Korea’s strongest ally, Xi is breaking with tradition by visiting South Korea first, rather than Pyongyang.

“It’s clearly a rebuff to Kim Jong Un,” said David Kang, professor of international relations and business at the University of Southern California, referring to North Korea’s leader. [READ MORE]