Kim Crosses New Border Bridge to China

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un crossed the New Yalu River Bridge on Saturday to reach the Chinese border city of Dandong. The trip inaugurated the new crossing, which physically links the two nations by road for the first time in years. South Korea's unification ministry and China's Xinhua news agency confirmed the arrival.

The bridge spans 3km across the Yalu River. China finished construction on its side in 2014, but delays on the North Korean side held back the opening until mid-October this year. The structure completes a road network that now connects Pyongyang to its two primary strategic partners, China and Russia. Russia and North Korea opened the first road bridge across their shared border in early September.

Kim met with Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of China's Communist party. The two officials toured an automobile factory and pledged to strengthen bilateral ties. Xinhua reported that Kim said North Korea stands ready to work with China to carry forward their historical friendship and expand practical cooperation. Wang accompanied Kim to the bridge to see him off at the end of the visit.

The timing of the trip coincides with the 25th anniversary of China's first major victory in the Korean War. That military success followed days after Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River into North Korea in October 1950. Japanese news agency Kyodo reported that traffic controls were implemented around the bridge and a nearby war museum. Hotel bookings in the area were also restricted for the event.

This is Kim's sixth visit to China and his first since September 2025. He attended a military parade in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at that time. Xi visited Pyongyang in June, marking his first trip there in seven years. Relations with South Korea have deteriorated in recent weeks. Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, has issued approximately 10 statements criticizing Seoul since late September. Her office announced plans to resume loudspeaker broadcasts at the border within days.

The next major diplomatic event involving the region is the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Xi will host the meeting in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19. Speculation exists regarding a potential meeting between Kim and Donald Trump during the summit. However, Reuters reported on Friday that US and South Korean officials see little chance of such a meeting occurring this year.