Kim crosses 3km bridge to China, pledging expanded cooperation

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday after crossing the newly operational New Yalu River Bridge.

South Korea's unification ministry and China's Xinhua news agency confirmed the arrival. Kim met with Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of the Chinese Communist Party. The two officials toured a car factory and discussed strengthening bilateral relations. Xinhua reported that Kim stated North Korea is ready to expand practical cooperation with China to deliver tangible benefits to their respective populations. Wang accompanied Kim to the bridge for his departure.

The trip coincides 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. The timing appears designed to emphasize the strength of Pyongyang's relationship with Beijing during this commemorative period.

Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that traffic controls were implemented around the bridge and a nearby war museum. Hotel bookings in the area were also restricted. Diplomatic sources told Kyodo that these measures were linked to the visit of a senior North Korean official.

The 3km bridge opened in mid-October, 12 years after China finished construction. Delays on the North Korean side postponed the opening for more than a decade. In early September, North Korea and Russia opened the first road bridge across their border. This development connects Pyongyang by road to its two primary geopolitical backers.

This is Kim's sixth visit to China and his first since September 2025. At that time, he attended a military parade in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Xi visited Pyongyang in June, his first trip there in seven years.

Relations between North and South Korea have deteriorated. Kim Yo Jong, Kim's sister, has issued approximately 10 statements criticizing Seoul since late September. South Korea's unification ministry described this frequency as unusual. She announced plans to resume loudspeaker broadcasts at the border within days. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit is scheduled for November 18-19 in Shenzhen, where Xi will be the host. Reuters reported on Friday that US and South Korean officials see little chance of Kim meeting US President Donald Trump this year.