Amid 'Iran War,' North Korea and China Move Closer, Resuming Passenger Flights and Rail After Six Years

The Financial News reported that passenger rail services between Pyongyang and Beijing, which had been suspended for six years, have resumed, and flights on the same route are also restarting. This closer coordination between North Korea and China is drawing attention because it is unfolding quickly amid the ongoing war between the United States of America (USA) and the Islamic Republic of Iran. North Korea and the People's Republic of China (China) have long maintained friendly relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. In addition, with Donald John Trump expected to visit Beijing within the next few weeks, observers say this renewed closeness between Pyongyang and Beijing could have a significant impact.
According to sources familiar with North Korea on the 13th, an international passenger train linking North Korea and China resumed operations after six years, and the first train from Pyongyang arrived in Beijing that morning. The passenger train left Pyongyang at around 10:26 a.m. the previous day and pulled into Beijing Railway Station at 8:40 a.m. as scheduled.
A passenger train from Beijing to Pyongyang also departed Beijing Railway Station at 5:26 p.m. the previous day. The train passes through Tianjin, Shanhaiguan, Shenyang and Dandong, then enters North Korea via Sinuiju, and is scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang at 6:07 p.m. the same day. Passenger rail services between North Korea and China were halted in January 2020 when North Korea sealed its borders over the spread of COVID-19. Freight trains gradually resumed, but passenger services are restarting only now, after about six years. Trains between Pyongyang and Beijing are expected to run in both directions four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Not only trains but also flights between Pyongyang and Beijing are resuming after six years. Chinese carrier Air China will restart its Beijing–Pyongyang route from the 25th. This will be the first time the route has operated in six years, after flights were suspended in 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19.

rainman@fnnews.com Reporter Kim Kyung-soo Reporter