North Korea-China, Agreement to Resume Pyongyang-Beijing Passenger Train After Over 5 Years

[Financial News] The Pyongyang-Beijing passenger train, which had been suspended due to the spread of COVID-19, is expected to resume operations after over 5 years.
On the 12th, according to NHK, North Korea and China have agreed to resume the operation of the passenger train connecting Pyongyang and Beijing.
According to sources, the railway authorities of both sides are currently in final coordination, and operations are expected to resume as early as next month.
The passenger train between Pyongyang and Beijing was suspended in January 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19.
This resumption of passenger operations is after over 5 years.
In this regard, NHK reported, "While North Korea is strengthening relations such as military cooperation with Russia, there are also indications that it is keeping a certain distance from China, raising attention to whether this is a sign of a change in relations."
A source familiar with North Korea-China relations mentioned that since May this year, visits to China by North Korea for inspection or training purposes have been increasing, stating, "There is an atmosphere of improvement in North Korea-China relations," but "it is necessary to cautiously observe whether the resumption of train operations will lead to a substantial change in relations."
However, NHK reported that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated regarding the resumption of train operations, "We are not aware of any related movements, please ask the relevant department."

going@fnnews.com Choi Ga-young Reporter