North Korea's Kim Jong-un Visits Dandong in First China Trip in Over a Year Regarding Most Dangerous Countries
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday, crossing via the newly opened New Amnok River Bridge in his first trip to China in more than a year, a development that draws attention in assessments of most dangerous countries. [2] The trip occurs ahead of next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, where U.S. President Donald Trump is expected. [2]
Kim Jong-un Crosses Newly Opened Bridge into Dandong
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has arrived in China's border city of Dandong via a newly opened bridge linking the two nations. [3] Kim arrived in Dandong after taking the bridge across the Amnok River, also known as the Yalu River in China. [3] The four-lane bridge, stretching 3,026 meters, was completed in 2014 with an investment of about US$310 million from China. [3] The bridge, which links North Korea's border city of Sinuiju with China's Dandong, was opened this month after 12 years of construction. [3] Its opening had been delayed for years due to North Korea's failure, if not refusal, to complete building connecting roads and customs facilities on its side. [3]
Chinese Officials Host the North Korean Leader
Kim was seen off by China's top political adviser Wang Huning. [1] He was accompanied by Wang Huning, China’s fourth ranked official, according to Xinhua. [2] Chinese Premier Li Qiang received Kim in Dandong. [3] Wang called on the two countries to expand ties during the visit. [2]
Kim Jong-un arrives in Dandong via the newly opened New Amnok River Bridge from North Korea. — Source: scmp
Timing Linked to Korean War Anniversary
Kim's arrival in Dandong came a day before North Korea and China are set to celebrate the anniversary of Chinese troops' participation in the 1950-53 Korean War. [3] Pyongyang and Beijing have observed Oct. 25 as the anniversary of Chinese troops' participation in the Korean War to aid North Korea. [3] The day marks Chinese soldiers' first combat against the U.N. forces. [3]
Prospects for High-Level Meetings in Most Dangerous Countries
A meeting between Kim and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Dandong appears highly unlikely, as Xi and other senior Communist Party officials are scheduled to attend a closed-door party meeting in Beijing from Monday to Thursday. [3] The North Korean leader appeared likely to return home later Saturday. [3] This China visit is expected to be very short. [3]
Context of Upcoming APEC Summit
Next month, China is set to host a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Shenzhen, where U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend. [3] The trip comes ahead of next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, where Donald Trump and other world leaders are expected to visit. [2] Trump has expressed hopes to hold talks with the North Korean leader, but Pyongyang has remained unresponsive. [3]
History of Kim's China Visits
Kim last visited China in September 2025. [3] Saturday's visit marked his sixth to China. [3] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited China in his first visit to the country in a year, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency. [4]
What to watch next: Next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen offers a potential venue where U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend and has expressed hopes to hold talks with Kim, though Pyongyang has remained unresponsive.
