According to Yonhap News Agency, citing sources on Saturday (October 24), North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has arrived in China via the newly opened bridge.
"It appears that Kim Jong-un has arrived in Dandong, China, via the new Yalu River Bridge," the anonymous source said.
The bridge was originally expected to be put into use in 2014. At that time, China had completed the construction on its own side, but North Korea did not carry out corresponding supporting projects, which was delayed for 12 years.
The bridge officially opened about a week ago, marking a step toward strengthening economic ties between China and North Korea.
China is North Korea's largest trading partner and an important source of diplomatic, economic and political support for the isolated nuclear-armed nation, although relations have not always been smooth.
According to Agence France-Presse, South Korean lawmaker Youn Kun-young said that it is understood that Kim Jong-un met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Dandong on Saturday. The ruling Democratic Party of South Korea said that the briefing received by Yun Jianyong showed that Kim Jong-un was likely to return to North Korea that day. Yin Jianyong said he was informed of the possible visit on Friday.
Neither China nor North Korea disclosed the visit in advance. As of the time of publication by AFP, neither the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the North Korean Embassy in China responded to requests for comment, and the South Korean government also stated that it could not confirm Kim Jong-un's itinerary in China.
Yin Jianyong believes that although the purpose of this trip is unclear, it may send a "positive signal" to the US-North Korea summit. Shenzhen, China will host the APEC summit in November, and there is speculation that Kim Jong-un may take the opportunity to meet with US President Trump. Yang Moo-jin, former president of North Korea University, told AFP that Kim Jong-un's trip may be intended to reaffirm the economic cooperation agreed upon by Xi Jinping during his visit to Pyongyang in June, urge Beijing to speed up its fulfillment of its commitments, and seek support from China before the possible "Trump-Kim meeting."
Just hours before the Yonhap News Agency report was issued, North Korea's official media reported that Kim Jong-un proposed a "North Korean-style military revolution" at an army company commanders meeting in Pyongyang, requiring the army to become the world's strongest army through training. That same week, an explosion occurred in the heavily fortified demilitarized zone, injuring South Korean soldiers. South Korea alleged that the explosion was caused by a North Korean landmine and proposed talks on Friday to clarify the border. Pyongyang denies the accusation and has previously rejected South Korea's request for an apology and has not responded to the proposal for talks.
Agence France-Presse also pointed out that North Korea has written its nuclear status into law. Analysts believe that China’s attitude on the North Korean nuclear issue seems to be shifting towards acquiescence: after Xi Jinping visited Pyongyang in June, neither China nor North Korea’s official statements mentioned North Korea’s denuclearization.
The opening of the new Yalu River bridge comes about a month after North Korea and Russia opened a road bridge as part of efforts to cement ties.
Experts say Chinese officials may be uneasy about the bridge's opening.
China has long been North Korea's largest trading partner and economic lifeline. But in recent years, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has had particularly warm relations with Moscow, sending large numbers of soldiers and conventional weapons to Russia to support Putin's war in Ukraine in exchange for military and economic aid.
Recently, Kim Jong-un has been getting closer to China, aiming to improve his country's economy and build a front against the United States. China, for its part, hopes to restore its unique influence over North Korea.
Analysts say North Korea's trade with Russia mainly involves military supplies, while trade with China can provide North Korea with the goods it needs to develop its civilian economy.
