Kim Jong-un crosses 3km bridge to China after 12-year wait

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un crossed a 3 kilometer bridge over the Yalu River on Saturday to reach the Chinese border city of Dandong. The structure finally opened in mid-October, twelve years after China completed its side of the construction. Delays on the North Korean side had kept the crossing closed until now.

According to South Korea's unification ministry and China's Xinhua news agency, Kim arrived in Dandong to officially launch the bridge. He met with 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 reported that Kim stated North Korea stands ready to work with China to carry forward their historical friendship and expand practical cooperation. He added that the goal is to deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. Wang accompanied Kim to the bridge later to see him off on his return journey.

The timing of the visit aligns with the October 25 anniversary of China's first major victory in the Korean war. That military success 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 placed around the bridge and near a museum dedicated to China's role in the conflict. Nearby hotel bookings were also restricted. Diplomatic sources told Kyodo these measures were tied to the visit by the senior North Korean official.

This infrastructure change gives Pyongyang a direct road link to its two main backers. In early September, North Korea and Russia opened the first road bridge across their short border. Now the North Korean capital is connected by road to both China and Russia.

This is Kim's sixth visit to China and his first since September 2025. He attended a military parade in Beijing alongside Chinese president Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin during that trip. Xi visited Pyongyang in June, marking his first trip to the North in seven years.

Relations with South Korea have deteriorated in the interim. Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, has issued approximately ten 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. Meanwhile, US and South Korean officials see little chance of Kim meeting President Donald Trump this year, despite speculation surrounding the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November.