Kim Jong Un arrives in China's Dandong via newly opened bridge, Yonhap reports

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in China’s border city of Dandong via a newly opened bridge linking the two countries, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday, citing an unidentified government source.

Kim “arrived in Dandong, in China’s Liaoning Province, via the New Amnok River Bridge,” the source told Yonhap (https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261024001952320). Reuters, citing Yonhap, reported the same arrival on Saturday, noting that South Korea’s Unification Ministry had no immediate comment and China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment (https://northlandnewsradio.com/2026/10/24/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-arrives-in-dandong-china-yonhap-says/).

The four-lane bridge links North Korea’s border city of Sinuiju with Dandong. It was completed in 2014 with an investment of about US$310 million from China, but its opening was delayed for 12 years because North Korea had not completed connecting roads and customs facilities on its side, Yonhap reported (https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261024001952320). The bridge was officially opened earlier this month, about a week before Kim’s reported crossing, according to AFP (https://www.arabnews.pk/world/north-korean-leader-arrives-in-chinese-border-city-yonhap-says-3005124).

South Korea’s presidential office and Unification Ministry did not immediately confirm the report, and North Korean and Chinese state media had not immediately reported on a visit, the New Indian Express reported (https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2026/Oct/24/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-visits-china-south-korean-news-agency-reports).

Kim’s last known visit to China was in September 2025, when he attended 80th Victory Day celebrations in Beijing and held a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Reuters reported (https://northlandnewsradio.com/2026/10/24/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-arrives-in-dandong-china-yonhap-says/). Xi made a state visit to North Korea in June, in a sign of improving ties, Reuters added (https://northlandnewsradio.com/2026/10/24/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-arrives-in-dandong-china-yonhap-says/).