Kim Crosses 3km Yalu Bridge to China After 12 Year Wait

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday, becoming the first head of state to traverse the New Yalu River Bridge. He met with Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of China's Communist party, and the two officials toured a local car factory. During the visit, Kim stated that North Korea stands ready to work with China to expand practical cooperation and deliver tangible benefits to both populations. Wang accompanied Kim to the bridge to see him off, according to China's Xinhua news agency.

The bridge spans 3 kilometers and officially opened in mid-October. Construction was completed by China, but the structure remained closed for 12 years due to delays on the North Korean side. This new infrastructure completes a land corridor for Pyongyang, as North Korea and Russia opened their first road bridge across their shared border in early September. Kim's visit is his sixth to China and his first since September 2025, when he attended a military parade in Beijing alongside Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin. Xi visited Pyongyang in June, ending a seven year gap between presidential trips.

The timing of the trip coincides with the October 25 anniversary of China's first major victory in the Korean war, a battle that occurred days after Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River in October 1950. Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that traffic controls were implemented around the bridge and a nearby museum dedicated to China's role in the conflict. Hotel bookings in the area were also restricted, with diplomatic sources linking the measures to the arrival of the senior North Korean official.

Relations between Pyongyang and Seoul have deteriorated sharply in recent months. Kim Yo Jong, Kim's sister, has issued approximately 10 statements criticizing the South Korean government since late September. South Korea's unification ministry described this frequency of comments as unusual. Kim Yo Jong also announced plans to resume loudspeaker broadcasts at the border within days, a tactic historically used to signal tension.

Xi Jinping will host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19. The event has led to speculation about a potential meeting between Kim and US president Donald Trump. However, Reuters reported on Friday that US and South Korean officials believe the likelihood of such a meeting this year is low.