Kim Jong Un visits China via newly opened border bridge

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in China through the newly opened New Yalu River Bridge on Saturday (October 24), a South Korean government official said, signalling closer economic and diplomatic ties between Beijing and Pyongyang.

Kim entered the Chinese border city of Dandong via the 3-kilometre bridge connecting the two countries, the official said on condition of anonymity. Another South Korean official said Chinese Premier Li Qiang met Kim in the border city.

Kim's visit came a day before the anniversary of China's entry into the 1950-1953 Korean War. South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that Kim was expected to return to North Korea on Saturday.

The visit follows the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge this month after years of delays. The crossing is expected to facilitate trade and the movement of heavy equipment, raw materials and energy products between the two countries.

The bridge's opening marks another sign of improving ties between Beijing and Pyongyang, following two summits between their leaders over the past 13 months.

Kim last visited China in September 2025 to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II celebrations in Beijing, where he held a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi visited North Korea in June.

China remains North Korea's main economic and diplomatic backer and accounts for most of its official trade. However, Pyongyang has also strengthened ties with Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reducing its reliance on Beijing, analysts say.