SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Yonhap) -- A senior North Korean ruling party official has arrived in China, the North's state media confirmed Wednesday, a visit that underscores deepening cooperation between Pyongyang and Beijing.
Kim Song-nam, a member of the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and a party secretary, embarked on a trip to China on Tuesday, leading a party delegation, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). His visit came at the invitation of China's Communist Party's Central Committee.
The delegation's arrival came just 10 days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a surprise visit to the Chinese border city of Dandong -- an indication that the two countries are stepping up efforts to reinforce high-level exchanges and traditional ties.
North Korea and China have been deepening their cooperation after bilateral relations had chilled amid Pyongyang's closer ties with Russia over the Ukraine war.
Upon arrival at a Chinese airport, Kim and his delegation were greeted by Deputy Head Sun Haiyan and other officials of the International Liaison Department of the Chinese party and North Korean Ambassador to China Ri Ryong-nam, the KCNA said.
In a separate dispatch, the KCNA reported that Xie Chuntao, executive vice president of the Party School of the Chinese party's central committee, and his delegation arrived in Pyongyang on Monday.
Xie's delegation met Ju Chang-il, a party secretary of the North, and visited the Central Cadres Training School.
Kim Song-nam, a member of the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and a secretary of the party's Central Committee, and his delegation are seen off prior to their departure for China on Nov. 3, 2026, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
Kim Song-nam, a member of the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and a secretary of the party's Central Committee, and his delegation are seen off prior to their departure for China on Nov. 3, 2026, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)