World

North Korea's Kim Jong-un returns from China visit

By Cynthia Kim and Joyce Lee

Oct 25, 2026

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited President Xi Jinping in China. -AP

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has returned to his country by road ‌after visiting a historic Korean War memorial in the Chinese border city ‌of Dandong.

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Kim visited the city on Saturday and crossed ‌a newly-opened bridge that connects the country to its biggest trading partner, China, which was seen as symbolising a push by Beijing and Pyongyang to expand trade ties.

North Korean state media KCNA heavily emphasised the historical weight of the visit, describing ‌the bilateral ‌relationship as ⁠an "unbreakable" bond forged during the 1950-1953 conflict.

Kim stated during his tour that the North Korean people would "forever remember the glorious years of fighting alongside the Chinese people" and pass down "generational gratitude to the Chinese people who helped our revolution with blood", according to the KCNA.

The visit is seen as a renewed ⁠push by China and North Korea to ‌bolster their economic relationship ahead of a trip to the region by US President Donald Trump ‌in November.

It also highlights a sophisticated diplomatic balancing act by Pyongyang, which has been deepening military ties with Moscow in the past two years.

Kim last visited Beijing in September 2025 for a military parade, and Chinese President Xi Jinping visited North Korea in June.

"Enjoying a bird's-eye view at the middle ‌point of the newly-inaugurated bridge, Comrade Kim Jong-un expressed expectation that the bridge would undoubtedly and correctly fulfill its historic mission of linking the two countries and firmly joining the minds of the peoples of the two countries," KCNA reported.

The two Koreas are technically at war after their 1950-53 war ended in an armistice rather than ⁠a peace treaty.