Kim Jong Un Enters China via New Bridge, Sources Report

In brief

• Kim Jong Un dotarrived in Dandong, China, using a newly opened bridge, according to South Korean officials.
• The leader's trip is reported as his first documented journey outside the country in over a year.
• The visit coincides with the anniversary of China's involvement in the Korean War.
• Chinese Premier Li Qiang reportedly traveled to Dandong and met with Kim Jong Un.

Unannounced trip to the Chinese border

South Korean officials said Kim Jong Un traveled by train from Pyongyang to Sinuiju, then crossed the New Yalu River Bridge to reach Dandong, a city in Liaoning province on the Chinese border (Nordkorea: Kim Jong Un besucht China über neu eingeweihte Brücke – DER SPIEGEL) (Kim Jong-un crosses over newly opened bridge into China – The Guardian) (North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives in Chinese border city – DW). The trip was not announced in advance. By Saturday evening, neither North Korean nor Chinese authorities had confirmed the visit.

Reported meeting with Chinese premier

Sources in Seoul, cited by Yonhap, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang also went to Dandong and that the two leaders met (North Korea’s Kim Jong Un visits China via Dandong bridge, South Korean official says – Investing.com). These details come from anonymous government sources and have no independent confirmation.

A bridge that sat unused for years

The bridge officially opened about a week before Kim's reported crossing, a sign of stronger economic ties between the two neighbors (North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in China's border city – DW). China is North Korea's main source of diplomatic, economic and political support and its primary trading partner.

Timing near a historic anniversary

The visit comes close to the anniversary of China's entry into the Korean War, which began on October 25, 1950, and which Beijing marks on Sunday (Kim Jong-un: Nordkoreas Machthaber Kim Jong-un überraschend in China eingetroffen – ZEIT ONLINE). It is not yet known whether Kim will attend any commemorative events or whether Chinese leader Xi Jinping will hold talks with him.

Context on Kim's travel

Kim rarely leaves North Korea. The reported journey is his first documented trip abroad in over a year. The bridge's opening came just over a month after a similar ceremony involving North Korea and Russia.