30.10.2026 00:51
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, about whom claims were made that he was seriously ill and had died, made a surprise visit to the Chinese city of Dandong. Kim, who toured the Korean War museum and laid a wreath for Chinese soldiers who died in the war, also met with senior Chinese official Wang Huning. It drew attention that the North Korean leader made the visit on the anniversary of the Chinese army's entry into the Korean War in 1950.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, about whom claims of being seriously ill and dead had been made, made a surprise visit to China's city of Dandong.
THE DATE OF THE VISIT IS NOTEWORTHY
According to Xinhua's report, during his visit Kim toured the city's Korean War museum and inspected items left over from the war, and laid a wreath in memory of Chinese soldiers who lost their lives.
The North Korean leader met with Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and then returned to his country via the newly opened New Yalu River Bridge.
It drew attention that Kim's day trip coincided with the anniversary of Chinese forces entering the Korean War in October 1950.
China had supported North Korea against United Nations (UN) forces led by the United States, which backed South Korea in the Korean War during 1950-1953. Of the 2.9 million Chinese soldiers who participated in the war, 360,000 lost their lives.
HE VISITED BEIJING LAST YEAR
North Korean leader Kim had last visited China in September 2025 to attend a military parade held in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
At the ceremony, Kim met with leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, and took part in a multilateral meeting for the first time.
Xi's posing at the front of the ceremony together with Putin and Kim was interpreted as a challenge to the United States and its allies.
Chinese President Xi also paid an official visit to North Korea on June 8-9 this year.
Xi, who made his last visit to North Korea in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, visited the country after a 7-year gap.