Is Kim Jong-Un Alive? North Korean Leader Makes Rare China Trip Across a Bridge That Took 12 Years To Complete

Kim Jong Un departs Dandong via the newly opened New Yalu River Bridge after meeting Chinese officials (Credit: Office of the President of Russia, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0/Wikimedia Commons)

Kim Jong Un travelled to Dandong, China, on Saturday, 24 October 2026, crossing a border bridge that had stood unopened for 12 years. The North Korean leader met senior Chinese official Wang Huning and visited a Korean War memorial. His rare trip followed unsubstantiated online rumours that he had died.

South Korea's unification ministry reported Kim's arrival across the New Yalu River Bridge. Chinese authorities confirmed the visit, while North Korean state media said on Sunday that he had returned home. North Korean television also showed footage of his car crossing the bridge, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily.