China-North Korea passenger train service to resume after six-year suspension

BEIJING: Passenger train operations between China and North Korea are set to restart on Thursday, marking the end of a six-year suspension. The service had been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led North Korea to close its borders as a precautionary measure.

According to reports, a train displaying the North Korean flag was seen in Beijing, believed to be carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as it arrived in the Chinese capital on September 2, 2025. The resumption of the train service is seen as a significant step towards restoring cross-border travel and trade between the two countries.

Passenger rail links between China and North Korea had been suspended since 2020, when North Korea implemented strict border controls to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The reopening of the route is expected to facilitate increased exchanges and cooperation between Beijing and Pyongyang.

China is North Korea’s main trading partner and a key diplomatic ally. The restoration of the train service is anticipated to boost economic activities and people-to-people contacts that had been severely limited during the pandemic-related border closure.

Officials have not provided details regarding the frequency of the resumed train service or the specific protocols in place for travelers. However, the move is being closely watched by regional observers as a sign of North Korea’s gradual reopening to the outside world following years of isolation.