▲ North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un presided over the 3rd Conference of Company Commanders of the Korean People's Army in Pyongyang on October 22 and 23 and delivered a speech on 'Building a Powerful Army in the New Era and the Tasks of Company Commanders,' the Korean Central News Agency reported on October 24.
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un has been confirmed to have made a surprise visit to China today, about a year after his last visit.
A government source said today, "Chairman Kim arrived in Dandong, Liaoning Province, China, via the New Yalu River Bridge."
On the Chinese side, Premier Li Qiang reportedly traveled to Dandong to receive Kim Jong Un and his delegation.
Kyodo News cited diplomatic sources reporting that strict traffic controls were implemented today in parts of Dandong bordering North Korea, and hotel reservations in nearby areas were being restricted.
Chairman Kim's visit to China comes ahead of China's anniversary of its entry into the Korean War on October 25.
Attention is focused on whether Chairman Kim will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in addition to attending the commemorative ceremony.
Chinese forces crossed the Yalu River on October 19, 1950, to enter the Korean War, and designated October 25, the date of their first victory, as the Memorial Day of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.
"Resist America and Aid Korea" (Hangmi Wonjo) means resisting the United States and aiding North Korea.
In particular, given that he traveled via the New Yalu River Bridge, which is regarded as a symbol of the restoration of North Korea-China ties, speculation is emerging that this visit is intended to reaffirm bilateral relations that have been reinforced into a "strategic relationship."
The New Yalu River Bridge is a four-lane, 3,026-meter-long bridge connecting Dandong, the largest trade hub between North Korea and China, with Sinuiju in North Pyongan Province.
Although completed in 2014, its opening had been delayed due to inadequate connecting roads and customs facilities on the North Korean side, before officially opening on October 15.
As both North Korea and China emphasized "economic connectivity" and "mutual interests" regarding the significance of the bridge's opening, forecasts emerged that economic and trade exchanges between the two nations will become more active in the future.
Chairman Kim's trip to China marks his sixth visit and comes one year and one month after his trip in September of last year.
At that time, Chairman Kim visited Beijing to attend commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, staying from September 2 to 4 to hold a summit with President Xi and a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, among other engagements.
While that trip occurred about six years and eight months after his previous fourth visit in January 2019, this sixth visit was arranged in a much shorter span of time.
Furthermore, while North Korea announced Chairman Kim's visit to China through state media during his fifth visit, this trip took place abruptly without prior notice or distinct signs.
Chairman Kim's visit to China also draws attention as it comes ahead of next month's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, while U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing to resume North Korea-U.S. dialogue within the year.
Earlier in August, President Trump personally mentioned the possibility of talks, stating that he was planning a meeting with Chairman Kim within the year and that Kim had responded to his proposal.
Accordingly, keen interest centered on whether an in-person meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the U.S. would take place around the APEC summit scheduled for November 18 – 19.
However, there was no subsequent response from North Korea, and as President Trump recently made remarks appearing to step back from plans for talks within the year, expectations had grown that the possibility of a meeting between the two leaders was slim.
This visit to China also demonstrates that Chairman Kim is in good health, following recent rumors of his death that had circulated mainly on overseas social media.
North Korea dismissed the rumors of his death by airing footage on Korean Central Television on October 20 of Chairman Kim visiting an exhibition hall in the light industry sector, followed by the release today of footage showing him guiding a large-scale military event.
The National Intelligence Service also reported to the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee yesterday that the rumors of Kim Jong Un's death were false.
(Photo: KCNA, Yonhap News)
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