Kim Jong Un Crosses New Yalu River Bridge Into China for Talks
Kim Jong Un inaugurated the New Yalu River Bridge in Dandong and met Wang Huning, in his first China visit in a year, report NBC News and the Guardian.
The story in focus
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed the newly opened New Yalu River Bridge into Dandong, China, on Saturday, inaugurating the crossing and meeting Wang Huning of the Communist Party's Standing Committee. Both sides pledged stronger bilateral ties, according to Xinhua. It was Kim's first China visit since September 2025.
- Kim Jong Un arrived in Dandong on Saturday after crossing the New Yalu River Bridge, per South Korea's Unification Ministry and Xinhua.
- He met Wang Huning, a Standing Committee member of China's Communist Party; the two toured a car factory and pledged closer ties.
- The roughly 3km bridge opened in mid-October, about 12 years after China completed construction, with delays on the North Korean side.
- The visit precedes the Oct. 25 anniversary of China's first major Korean War victory, days after Chinese troops crossed the Yalu in October 1950.
- It was Kim's sixth visit to China and his first since September 2025, when he attended a Beijing military parade.
Crossing and meetings
Kim Jong Un traveled to the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday, inaugurating the New Yalu River Bridge, according to South Korea's Unification Ministry and China's Xinhua News Agency. The crossing is expected to expand trade and handle round-the-clock two-way traffic, including container shipments and heavy cargo trucks, experts told NBC News.
Kim met Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of China's Communist Party. According to Xinhua, the two toured a car factory, pledged to strengthen the bilateral relationship, and Wang later accompanied Kim back to the bridge to see him off. North Korean state media did not immediately report the visit.
Timing and regional context
The trip appears timed to underscore Kim's ties with Beijing ahead of the Oct. 25 anniversary of China's first major Korean War victory, days after Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River in October 1950. Kim said the visit also memorialized those killed in the war, Xinhua reported.
It was Kim's sixth visit to China and his first since September 2025, when he attended a military parade in Beijing alongside Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. Xi visited Pyongyang in June. Kyodo reported traffic controls and restricted hotel bookings near the bridge and a Korean War museum, which diplomatic sources linked to a senior North Korean official's visit. Reuters reported Friday that US and South Korean officials see little chance of Kim meeting Donald Trump this year.
When did Kim Jong Un last visit China before this trip?
Kim's previous China visit was in September 2025, when he attended a military parade in Beijing alongside Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, according to NBC News and the Guardian.
Sources & further reading
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits China to inaugurate a new cross-border bridge ↗NBC News
- Kim Jong-un crosses newly opened bridge into China ↗The Guardian
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