North Korea inaugurates new border bridge with China

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inaugurated a new bridge linking the two countries, marking a significant development in their relationship. He crossed the New Yalu River Bridge on Saturday to arrive in the Chinese border city of Dandong, according to South Korea's unification ministry and China's official Xinhua news agency. He met Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of China's Communist party, and toured a car factory with him. Xinhua quoted Kim as saying North Korea is ready to work with China to carry forward their historical friendship and expand practical cooperation, delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. Wang later accompanied Kim to the bridge to see him off, the agency reported.

The timing of the trip appears intended to underline the strength of Kim's relationship with Beijing ahead of the 25 October anniversary of China's first major victory in the Korean war. Japan's Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday that traffic controls had been put in place around the bridge and near a museum dedicated to China's role in the war, and that nearby hotel bookings had been restricted. Diplomatic sources told the agency the measures were tied to a visit by a senior North Korean official.

The 3km bridge opened in mid-October, 12 years after China completed construction, following delays on the North Korean side. In early September, North Korea and Russia opened the first road bridge across their own short border, which means Pyongyang is now linked by road to its two main backers. This is Kim's sixth visit to China and his first since September 2025, when he attended a military parade in Beijing alongside Chinese president Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. Xi visited Pyongyang in June, his first trip there in seven years.

Meanwhile, relations with South Korea have worsened. Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, has issued about 10 statements criticising Seoul since late September, a frequency that South Korea's unification ministry has described as unusual. She has also announced plans to resume loudspeaker broadcasts at the border within days. Xi will host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen on 18-19 November, which has fuelled speculation about a possible meeting between Kim and Donald Trump. Reuters reported on Friday, however, that US and South Korean officials see little chance of Kim meeting the US president this year.