North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited China’s border city of Dandong, making a symbolic crossing over a newly opened bridge amid renewed public interest in his whereabouts and speculation surrounding his health and death.
Kim made the one-day trip on Saturday, October 24, crossing the New Yalu River Bridge, which connects North Korea’s Sinuiju city with Dandong in China’s Liaoning Province.
The visit comes amid rumours about the North Korean leader’s death circulating online. However, the reports surrounding his trip provide no evidence to support such claims, while the reported visit itself contradicts assertions that he has died.
During the visit, Kim met Wang Huning, one of China’s most senior political officials, who conveyed greetings and best wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
According to China’s state news agency, Xinhua, Kim also visited a Korean War memorial in Dandong, where he paid tribute to Chinese soldiers who fought alongside North Korean forces during the 1950–1953 conflict.
The two officials subsequently toured a local automobile factory and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations between the neighbouring countries.
Kim reportedly said Pyongyang was ready to work with Beijing to preserve their historical friendship and expand practical cooperation.
The visit followed the official opening of the New Yalu River Bridge, which was completed in 2014 but remained unused for years because of delays involving connecting roads and customs facilities on the North Korean side.
The approximately three-kilometre-long, four-lane bridge is expected to improve cross-border transportation and facilitate the movement of container shipments and heavy-duty trucks.
Analysts consider the infrastructure project a significant step towards expanding trade between China and North Korea by easing longstanding logistical constraints.
China remains North Korea’s largest trading partner and a major source of economic, diplomatic and political support for the isolated, nuclear-armed country.
However, Pyongyang has strengthened its relationship with Russia in recent years, particularly following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, prompting questions about the future balance of North Korea’s relationships with Beijing and Moscow.
Kim’s visit also coincided with the anniversary of China’s entry into the Korean War, during which Chinese forces fought alongside North Korean troops.
The latest engagement follows a series of high-level exchanges between the two countries, including Kim’s visit to Beijing in September 2025 and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to North Korea in June 2026.
Both leaders have expressed interest in expanding cooperation in trade, agriculture, construction and technology.
Kim’s appearance in China underscores Pyongyang’s continued efforts to strengthen its strategic partnership with Beijing amid intensifying geopolitical competition involving the United States and its allies.
While the reported visit offers evidence of Kim’s diplomatic engagement, no substantiated evidence has been provided in the supplied report to establish the origin or credibility of the death rumours circulating online.
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