North Korean leader Kim Jong Un returned to his country on Saturday after a one-day visit to the Chinese city of Dandong, during which he met with senior Chinese official Wang Huning.
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Xinhua News Agency reported that Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, conveyed President Xi Jinping's greetings and best wishes to Kim.
Wang affirmed Beijing’s readiness to expand trade and people-to-people exchanges with Pyongyang, taking advantage of the opening of the new Yalu River Bridge, and to strengthen strategic coordination to safeguard the sovereignty, security, and development interests of both countries.
For his part, Kim expressed his appreciation for China’s continued support for his country, stressing that the prospects for bilateral cooperation are broad and that Pyongyang is ready to enhance practical cooperation in a way that serves the interests of both peoples.
According to Xinhua, Kim, accompanied by Wang, visited the memorial to Chinese soldiers who participated in the Korean War between 1950 and 1953, and laid a wreath in their memory. He also inspected an automobile factory in Dandong.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi participated in the visit's events, while Wang Huning accompanied the North Korean leader to the new Yalu River Bridge as he left the city.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing government sources, revealed the visit, which had not been announced beforehand by either Beijing or Pyongyang. South Korean lawmaker Yoon Kun-young said he believed Kim met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, but the official Chinese statement did not confirm the meeting.
The visit came after the opening of the new bridge on October 15. The 3,026-meter-long, four-lane bridge was completed in 2014, but its operation was delayed due to problems with infrastructure, roads, and customs facilities on the North Korean side.
The bridge aims to strengthen economic and trade ties between the two countries, at a time when Pyongyang is working to expand its regional relations.
Its opening came about a month after the inauguration of the first land bridge linking North Korea and Russia, a move Pyongyang considered evidence of strengthening relations with Moscow.
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Rumors of Kim Jong-un's death during his visit to China via the new Yalu River Bridge have been quelled
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a surprise visit to China on the 24th, marking his first visit to the country in one year and one month. Analysts believe that the trip may be aimed at reaffirming the "comprehensive strategic partnership" between North Korea and China on the eve of China's "Anti-American Aid Korea" anniversary (the 25th).
Yonhap News Agency, citing a South Korean government source, reported that "Chairman Kim Jong Un arrived in Dandong, Liaoning Province, China, via the new Yalu River Bridge." China Central Television (CCTV) confirmed Kim Jong Un's visit to China in its Saturday evening report, stating that he was greeted by Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Strict security and traffic control measures were implemented in downtown Dandong on the morning of the 24th, ahead of Kim Jong-un's surprise visit to China.
A source in Dandong, who requested anonymity for personal safety reasons, told Radio Free Asia, "I wanted to go out early this morning to receive goods shipped from North Korea, but I was stuck in a severe traffic jam. Traffic control around Dandong is very strict." Another source also confirmed to Radio Free Asia, "Traffic control was in effect all morning, but it was lifted in the afternoon."
Meanwhile, rumors circulated among North Korean and Chinese traders that "Chinese President Xi Jinping is en route to visit North Korea." Analysts therefore believe that Kim Jong-un's trip was announced and arranged suddenly under tight security measures.
It has not yet been confirmed whether Kim Jong Un will attend any events related to the new Yalu River Bridge, which officially opened to traffic on January 15th. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether Kim Jong Un will participate in the commemoration of the Korean War scheduled for the following day. Whether Kim Jong Un will meet with Xi Jinping is also attracting attention.
This is Kim Jong-un's sixth visit to China, the previous one being last September when he went to Beijing to attend the 80th anniversary of the victory against Japan. The two visits were one year and one month apart. However, unlike his fifth visit last year, this trip was not reported in advance, and North Korean state media did not release any clear indications.
Of particular note is the new Yalu River Bridge, which Kim Jong-un crossed during his visit, a symbol of economic cooperation between North Korea and China. The bridge was completed in 2014, but only officially opened to traffic on the 15th of this month. Therefore, some analysts believe that this trip also reflects the need to further expand bilateral economic and trade exchanges between China and North Korea.
Diplomatic circles point out that this visit comes at a time when US President Trump is pushing to resume US-North Korea dialogue this year, and also ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Summit to be held in Shenzhen, China, from November 18 to 19. Some analysts believe that North Korea hopes to increase its leverage in future negotiations with the United States by deepening its relationship with China.
Furthermore, the recent rumors circulating primarily on overseas social media about Kim Jong-un's death are expected to subside as a result. Previously, South Korea's National Intelligence Service had reported to the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee on the 23rd, confirming that the rumors about Kim Jong-un's death were untrue.
(This article was reported by Ji-eun Kim, reporter for RFA Korean team, and translated by Li Tong)