State visit: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives in China

Seoul. According to South Korean information, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a surprise arrival in the Chinese border town of Dandong. Kim is said to have entered the country via a border bridge that was inaugurated a few weeks ago and met Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, South Korea's official news agency Yonhap reported, citing an anonymous government source in Seoul.

China and North Korea officially opened the bridge over the Yalu river this month. This is intended to revive trade and economic relations after years of tension between the two countries. Chinese or North Korean authorities did not initially confirm the visit.

Kim's trip to China falls on the anniversary of China's entry into the Korean War, known in China as the "War to Resist the United States and Help Korea." It has not yet been confirmed whether Kim will take part in the memorial celebrations. It is also not known whether China's head of state Xi Jinping will take part in the event. In the Korean War (1950-53), Chinese troops fought alongside North Korea against South Korea and US-led UN troops.

The day before, there had already been indications of an impending visit by high-ranking North Korean representatives to Dandong. Security measures have reportedly been stepped up in the city on the border with North Korea.

China is the country's most important trading partner, which is subject to UN sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program. Recently, the two countries continued to advance their partnership. In June, Chinese President Xi Jinping traveled to North Korea on a state visit. In mid-October, a three-kilometer-long, four-lane road bridge was opened over the Yalu border river, which connects Dandong in China with the North Korean city of Sinuiju and is intended to facilitate trade between the two countries.