Kim Jong Un travels to China across new border crossing in Dandong

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has traveled to the Chinese border city of Dandong, crossing over a newly inaugurated bridge into the neighboring country, according to South Korean media reports citing a government official.

The development was reported on October 24 by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency. Officials in Seoul, including a spokesperson for the Unification Ministry, offered no immediate public confirmation, while the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also did not immediately reply to inquiries regarding the trip.

Beijing and Pyongyang recently marked the official launch of the primary land transit link between them in Dandong earlier this month. The infrastructure project was introduced to revitalize cross-border trade following protracted restrictions and economic slowdowns linked to the pandemic and bilateral tensions.

The journey represents Kim's first reported trip to China since September 2025, when he traveled to Beijing to join events marking the 80th anniversary of Victory Day and held discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Relations between the two allies have shown renewed momentum in recent months, underscored by Xi's formal state visit to North Korea in June.

The reported crossing coincides with heightened regional diplomatic activity, alongside diminishing expectations in Washington and Seoul for direct dialogue between Kim and United States President Donald Trump. While the American president has expressed interest in reviving diplomatic talks with North Korea, sources in both governments have downplayed the likelihood of a summit occurring before the end of the year.

The trip also unfolds as China makes final preparations to host the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled for November in Shenzhen, an event that President Trump is anticipated to attend. Neither Pyongyang nor Beijing has released an official itinerary detailing the duration or specific purpose of Kim's stay across the border.