12 Years of Delay End as Kim Crosses New Border Bridge to China
The long-awaited infrastructure link finally opens for official use as the North Korean leader visits his northern neighbor.
By Aiko Yamamoto ·
Construction on the new crossing over the Yalu River took twelve years to finish, a timeline that was stretched significantly by delays on the North Korean side. The 3-kilometer structure finally opened to the public in mid-October. On Saturday, that wait became a symbolic moment when leader Kim Jong-un crossed the bridge to arrive in the Chinese border city of Dandong.
South Korea's unification ministry and China's Xinhua news agency both confirmed the travel. Once in China, Kim met with Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of the Communist party. The two men spent time touring a local car factory and making public pledges to deepen their bilateral ties. Xinhua reported that Kim stated North Korea is ready to work with China to carry forward their historical friendship and expand practical cooperation. The goal, he said, is to deliver tangible benefits to the people of both nations. Wang later walked Kim to the bridge to see him off.
The timing of this trip appears carefully chosen to highlight the strength of the relationship between Pyongyang and Beijing. This visit comes just days before the October 25 anniversary of China's first major victory in the Korean war. That historic win occurred in 1950, shortly after Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River to enter North Korea.
Security measures around the border area were noticeable. Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that traffic controls were implemented near the new bridge and a local museum dedicated to China's role in the war. Bookings at nearby hotels were also restricted. Diplomatic sources told Kyodo that these precautions were tied to the visit by a senior North Korean official.
This infrastructure development is part of a broader trend of connectivity. In early September, North Korea and Russia opened the first road bridge across their shared border. With this new addition, Pyongyang is now connected by road to its two main strategic backers. For Kim, this marks his sixth trip to China and his first since September 2025. At that time, he attended a military parade in Beijing alongside Chinese president Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. Xi had previously visited Pyongyang in June, his first trip there in seven years.
Relations to the south, however, remain strained. Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, has issued about ten statements criticizing Seoul since late September. South Korea's unification ministry has described this frequency as unusual. She has also announced plans to resume loudspeaker broadcasts at the border within days. Looking ahead, Xi will host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19. While this event has fueled speculation about a potential meeting between Kim and Donald Trump, Reuters reported on Friday that US and South Korean officials see little chance of such a meeting happening this year.
Source: The Guardian
