According to Yonhap News Agency and Reuters, on October 24 Kim Jong-un arrived in Dandong, Liaoning, via the new Yalu River Bridge, visiting China again after more than a year, and State Council Premier Li Qiang met with him in Dandong.
On October 24, Kim Jong Un traveled by special train across the New Yalu River Bridge to visit Dandong, China, marking a significant development in high-level exchanges between the two countries since the bridge opened.
Kyodo News reported, citing diplomatic sources, that strict traffic controls were imposed around the Dandong Yalu River Bridge and museums related to the Korean War during Kim Jong-un's visit on October 24, and hotel bookings were restricted.
President Trump said before leaving the White House for Alaska that there is a possibility he will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to Asia next month.
North Korea held a performance in a Pyongyang gymnasium on October 10 to mark the 81st anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party. Kim Jong Un attended with his wife Ri Sol Ju and daughter Kim Ju Ae, while surrounding officials and spectators stood and applauded.
Kim Jong-un rarely visited Dandong alone and was received by Wang Huning; analysts believe this may involve military cooperation between China and North Korea and plans for a special economic zone.
Xi Jinping, top leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), visited Pyongyang, North Korea, from June 8 to 9, and was welcomed by Kim Jong Un at Kim Il Sung Square.
On September 20, North Korea fired an unidentified projectile toward the Sea of Japan. Subsequently, North Korean state media announced the successful testing of a new important combat weapon system and released photos.
On the 78th anniversary of the founding of North Korea, Xi Jinping sent a letter saying that he would continue to strengthen strategic guidance over China-DPRK relations, while Putin sent a letter saying he would carry out the closest joint work with Kim Jong-un and strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership. Kim Jong-un published the congratulatory letters on the front page of North Korean media.
According to a September 2026 program of the Lude Society, Trump said he had spoken with Kim Jong-un and planned a meeting, while the North Korean side responded that Kim's memories of meeting Trump back then were wonderful.
On September 1, South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) told a National Assembly Intelligence Committee meeting that Kim Jong-un's daughter Kim Ju-ae may have already entered the stage of being designated as successor, and that Seoul assesses North Korea is gradually making residents view her as the future leader.
In September 2026, Kim Jong-un said in a letter to Putin that Russia's war against Ukraine is a sacred war to defend national security interests and international justice, and expressed firm belief that Russia will achieve victory.
At a press conference, Trump publicly stated that North Korea currently possesses 57 nuclear weapons and plans to meet with Kim Jong Un later this year to control North Korea's nuclear program, sparking widespread concern in the international community.
Trump stated that North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un has responded to his dialogue proposal, following his order to significantly scale down joint US-South Korea military exercises.
Trump confirmed at a press conference that he has made contact with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, drawing widespread attention and disrupting the plans of the Chinese Communist Party and South Korea to position themselves through the Korean Peninsula issue.