Xi Jinping May Visit North Korea in Late May or Early June

Chinese President Xi Jinping may travel to North Korea at the end of May or in early June to meet with leader Kim Jong Un. The potential visit is intended to strengthen bilateral ties that weakened during the COVID-19 pandemic but have recovered in recent years.

Xi is also positioned to play a mediating role in efforts to revive diplomacy between Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump. Chinese security and protocol teams have already traveled to Pyongyang to prepare for the possible trip.

The engagement follows recent visits to Beijing by President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. South Korea has expressed hope that increased China-North Korea contacts will support peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, given China's status as North Korea's closest ally and its interest in regional security.

Officials in Seoul noted that such exchanges could contribute to broader diplomatic progress amid renewed talks involving the United States and North Korea. The developments reflect China's ongoing focus on maintaining influence and stability in the region through high-level engagements.