North Korea’s Kim visits China ahead of key anniversary

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday, a day ahead of a key anniversary, traveling via a newly opened bridge linking the two countries, according to Seoul.

Kim arrived in Dandong by traveling over the New Yalu River Bridge, a South Korean government source told the Yonhap news agency.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met Kim in the border city, a day before the anniversary of China joining the Korean War.

Pyongyang and Beijing have observed Oct. 25 as the anniversary of Chinese troops’ entry into the 1950-1953 conflict on the side of North Korea. 

The North Korean leader was expected to return home later Saturday, Yonhap said, citing a South Korean ruling party source.

Kim has now traveled to China six times, with his last known visit coming in September 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. During that visit, he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The North Korean leader has looked to boost ties with both countries. The bridge linking Dandong with the North Korean city of Sinuiju, which opened earlier this month after more than a decade of work, is expected to bolster the two countries’ economic ties.