Kim Jong-un Activates New Yalu Crossing to Boost Trade with China

Kim Jong-un traveled to the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday to formally open the New Yalu River Bridge. The 3km structure connects North Korea and China by road, marking a new logistical link between the two states. South Korea's unification ministry and China's Xinhua news agency confirmed the leader arrived by crossing the new span.

The bridge opened in mid-October, 12 years after China finished its side of construction. Delays on the North Korean side had previously halted the project. This infrastructure move follows the opening of the first road bridge between North Korea and Russia in early September. Pyongyang now has direct road access to both of its major geopolitical allies.

During the visit, Kim met with Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of China's Communist party. The two officials toured a local car factory and pledged to deepen bilateral ties. Xinhua quoted Kim as saying North Korea "stands ready to work with China to carry forward their historical friendship and expand practical cooperation, thereby delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries". Wang accompanied Kim to the bridge for his departure.

The timing of the trip coincides with the 25 October anniversary of China's first major victory in the Korean War. That battle occurred days after Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River into North Korea in October 1950. Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that traffic controls were implemented near the bridge and a museum dedicated to the war. Hotel bookings in the area were also restricted for the visit.

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

Xi is scheduled to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen on 18-19 November. Speculation has emerged regarding a potential meeting between Kim and US President Donald Trump at the event. However, Reuters reported on Friday that US and South Korean officials assess the likelihood of a meeting this year as low.