朋友 USA 친구
The message is clear that China will steer any and all decisions involving North Korea. The fact that Kim had to bow to Bejing basically says it all. PRC has always and will continue to be the strength which props up PRK.
North Korea's Kim Jong-un strings are controlled and will continue to be pulled by China's Xi Jinping. The North Korean leader's meeting with Chinese president went well and he has received his orders. A return of the prodigal son before any Trump-Kim meeting is a snub to squeeze the US out the picture for now.