A South Korean news outlet reported Wednesday evening that Chinese President Xi Jinping could travel to North Korea within the coming week, according to a high-ranking government official.
The Yonhap news agency cited another government source who indicated that Chinese security and protocol personnel had recently been present in Pyongyang, suggesting Xi’s trip could occur in late May or early June.
According to the senior official quoted in the report, Xi plans to serve as an intermediary between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, following Xi’s recent hosting of Trump.
South Korea’s foreign ministry has not yet provided a response to the reported information.
As North Korea’s primary economic and political partner, China has worked to strengthen relationships that had deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kim Jong Un traveled to Beijing last year, where he appeared with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a significant military parade.
Trump, who previously held three meetings with Kim during his earlier presidency to discuss North Korea’s nuclear activities, has indicated willingness to engage with the North Korean leader again, citing their positive working relationship.
