Kim visits China via new border crossing
The leader crossed a 3km bridge to Dandong, marking his first trip to Beijing's border since 2025 and preceding the war anniversary.
By Pedro Barnes ·
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday. He crossed the New Yalu River Bridge, a structure that opened to traffic in mid-October. This marks his first trip to the region since September 2025.
Kim met with Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of the Chinese Communist party. The two men visited a car factory and pledged to strengthen ties. Xinhua reported that Kim said North Korea was ready to expand practical cooperation to deliver tangible benefits to both nations. Wang accompanied Kim to the bridge to see him off.
The 3km bridge connects the two countries directly by road. It opened 12 years after China completed its side of the construction, a delay attributed to North Korea. This opening follows the launch of a road bridge between North Korea and Russia in early September. Pyongyang is now linked by road to both of its main military backers.
The timing of the visit coincides with the October 25 anniversary of China's first major victory in the Korean war. That battle occurred days after Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River into North Korea in October 1950. Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that traffic controls were placed near the bridge and a local museum. Hotel bookings in the area were also restricted, with diplomatic sources linking these measures to the visit.
Kim's visit is his sixth to China. His previous trip was in September 2025, when he attended a military parade in Beijing alongside President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Xi visited Pyongyang in June, his first trip there in seven years.
Relations with South Korea have deteriorated recently. Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, has issued about 10 critical statements toward Seoul since late September. South Korea's unification ministry described this frequency as unusual. She has also announced plans to resume loudspeaker broadcasts at the border within days.
Xi will host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19. This event has fueled speculation about a meeting between Kim and Donald Trump. However, Reuters reported on Friday that US and South Korean officials see little chance of such a meeting occurring this year.
