North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has traveled to China, marking his first visit to the nation in a year. According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, which cited an unidentified government source, the North Korean leader arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong.
Kim reportedly crossed into China using the newly opened New Yalu River Bridge. The infrastructure project had faced more than a decade of delays before finally opening earlier this month.
This diplomatic move follows a period in which Pyongyang has prioritized its relationship with Russia. Kim has sent thousands of troops and conventional weapons to support President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, a move widely viewed as a potential exchange for military and economic assistance. However, the current visit underscores a renewed effort to bolster ties with China, which remains North Korea’s traditional main ally and economic lifeline.
The trip occurs several months after Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pyongyang in June for a summit with Kim. During those discussions, President Xi signaled Beijing’s willingness to expand cooperation across trade, agriculture, construction, and technology. Kim, in turn, characterized the relationship with China as a top strategic priority.
The North Korean leader’s previous visit to Beijing took place in September 2025, when he met with Xi and observed a military parade alongside President Putin and other international leaders.
