Chinese FM Wang Yi to Visit North Korea April 9-10

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit North Korea on April 9 and 10, marking his first trip to Pyongyang in more than four years and signaling renewed efforts between the neighboring countries to bolster diplomatic and economic ties.

The visit, announced by both Chinese and North Korean state media, comes at the invitation of North Korea's Foreign Ministry. Wang is expected to hold talks with his counterpart, Choe Sonhui, and a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un remains possible, though it is not confirmed. Wang's last visit to North Korea as foreign minister occurred in late 2019, following earlier exchanges between the two nations' leaders.

Relations between China and North Korea had cooled significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic halted most cross-border interactions in 2020 and as Pyongyang deepened its military cooperation with Russia amid the latter's invasion of Ukraine. North Korea has provided troops and weapons to support Moscow's efforts, prompting Beijing to seek ways to reengage its longstanding ally. Recent steps include the resumption of passenger train service between Beijing and Pyongyang in March, ending a six-year suspension, and...