Kim Opens 3km Bridge to China After 12 Year Construction Delay

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un crossed the New Yalu River Bridge on Saturday, arriving in the Chinese border city of Dandong to officially open the 3km crossing. South Korea's unification ministry and China's Xinhua news agency confirmed the arrival. The trip marks the first time Kim has traveled to China since September 2025, when he attended a military parade in Beijing alongside Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

In Dandong, Kim met Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of China's Communist party. The two men toured a local car factory and pledged to strengthen bilateral relations. 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 to see him off, according to the agency.

The bridge opened in mid-October, ending a 12 year wait after China completed its side of construction. Delays on the North Korean side had stalled the project for the past decade. The completion of this route means Pyongyang is now linked by road to its two main backers, following the opening of the first road bridge across the North Korea Russia border in early September.

The timing of the visit coincides with the 25 October anniversary of China's first major victory in the Korean war. That win 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 around the bridge and near a museum dedicated to China's role in the war. Nearby hotel bookings were also restricted, with diplomatic sources telling the agency the measures were tied to the visit by a senior North Korean official.

This is Kim's sixth visit to China. His last trip was in September 2025. Xi visited Pyongyang in June, marking his first trip there in seven years. Relations with South Korea have worsened in the interim. Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, has issued about 10 statements criticizing Seoul since late September. South Korea's unification ministry described this frequency as unusual. She 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. The event has fueled speculation about a possible meeting between Kim and Donald Trump. However, Reuters reported on Friday that US and South Korean officials see little chance of such a meeting taking place this year.