Kim Opens Yalu Bridge and Signals Deeper Ties with Beijing
North Korea's leader crossed into Dandong on Saturday to cut the ribbon on a new crossing and meet with a senior Chinese official.
By Benjamin Bernard ·
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday after crossing the New Yalu River Bridge. The trip marks his first visit to China since September 2025 and his sixth overall.
South Korea's unification ministry and China's Xinhua news agency confirmed the crossing. Kim met Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of China's Communist party. The two men toured a car factory and agreed to strengthen bilateral relations.
Xinhua quoted Kim as saying North Korea "stands ready to work with China to carry forward their historical friendship and expand practical cooperation, thereby delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries." Wang accompanied Kim to the bridge to see him off.
The 3km bridge opened in mid-October. It is 12 years since China completed construction, a delay caused by North Korean infrastructure issues. The opening connects Pyongyang by road to its two main backers. North Korea and Russia opened the first road bridge across their border in early September.
Japan's Kyodo news agency reported traffic controls around the bridge and near a museum dedicated to China's role in the Korean war. Hotel bookings near the site were restricted. Diplomatic sources told the agency the measures were tied to the visit by a senior North Korean official.
The timing of the trip aligns with the October 25 anniversary of China's first major victory in the Korean war. Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River into North Korea in October 1950. Xi will host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen on 18 and 19 November. Reuters reported on Friday that US and South Korean officials see little chance of Kim meeting Donald Trump this year.
Relations with South Korea have deteriorated. Kim Yo Jong, Kim's sister, issued about 10 statements criticizing Seoul since late September. South Korea's unification ministry described the frequency as unusual. She announced plans to resume loudspeaker broadcasts at the border within days.
Source: The Guardian
