Confirming Improved North Korea-China Relations: The Calculations Behind Kim Jong-un's Visit to China

[Anchor]

Various interpretations are emerging regarding the visit to China, which took place ahead of the APEC summit. First, let us connect to Beijing to check the local situation.

Correspondent Han Sang-woo, is Chairman Kim still staying in Dandong?

[Reporter]

Yes. So far, there has been no official announcement or state media report from the Chinese side regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to China.

This stands in contrast to last September's Victory Day, when Chinese state media extensively reported on Chairman Kim's plans to visit China.

Local sources in Dandong report that security around the New Yalu River Bridge is tight, leading to observations that Chairman Kim is still staying in Dandong.

If Chairman Kim returns directly to North Korea today (October 24), he is expected to cross the New Yalu River Bridge by car, just as he did on his way in.

[Anchor]

In the past, visits were announced in advance and made by train, but this visit seems unconventional in many ways.

[Reporter]

Yes, today marks the tenth day since the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge.

Crossing into China via this bridge symbolically shows that North Korea-China relations have returned to a smooth footing and that their leaders can exchange visits and interact at any time.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang [Note: Li Chang in text], who oversees economic policy and ranks second in the leadership hierarchy, came all the way to Dandong to meet Chairman Kim. On the surface, China appears to expect an expanded influence over North Korea, while North Korea seeks China's economic support and active exchanges.

[Anchor]

The timing of the visit is also drawing attention. Can this be interpreted as leaving the door slightly open for a North Korea-US summit?

[Reporter]

Yes, less than a month remains until the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China.

China has not concealed its intention to mediate North Korea-US dialogue and increase its influence on the Korean Peninsula.

This is why observations are being raised that Chairman Kim's visit to Dandong is aimed not only at restoring North Korea-China relations but also at discussing North Korea-US dialogue.

With possibilities of a US-China-Russia summit being discussed during the APEC meeting, some analyze that the three countries are quietly pushing for North Korea-US dialogue behind the scenes, and that North Korea has also sent a positive signal in response.

(Video editing: Oh Young-taek)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.