North Korea's Kim Jong Un Arrives in Dandong, China, via Newly Opened Bridge, Yonhap Says
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Dandong, China, on a visit to the neighboring country via a newly opened bridge, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday, October 24, citing a South Korean government source. (GSM, via Reuters)
A spokesperson for South Korea's Unification Ministry did not have an immediate comment, and China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Neither Pyongyang nor Beijing has announced the purpose or itinerary of the visit.
China and North Korea officially opened their most significant land border crossing in Dandong this month, the New Yalu River Bridge, aiming to rejuvenate trade and commerce after years of strained ties and pandemic-related border closures; GSM reported the bridge's opening ceremony on October 15. Kim's crossing is the most closely watched movement over the bridge since it opened.
Kim's last known visit to China was in September 2025, to attend the 80th Victory Day celebrations in Beijing, when he held a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi made a state visit to North Korea in June, in a sign of improving ties.
US President Donald Trump has been eager to jump-start talks with North Korea, but US and South Korean officials see fading chances of him meeting Kim this year, Reuters reported on Friday. China hosts a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum next month in Shenzhen, which Trump is expected to attend.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 朝鲜领导人金正恩2025年9月在北京出席纪念活动时与中国国家主席习近平等各国领导人同行（资料图）。照片：Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 4.0
