In a move underscoring deepening diplomatic engagement in Northeast Asia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui will visit the Chinese mainland from September 27 to 30, according to an announcement by China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday.
Choe, who also serves as a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, is expected to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional security matters during her four-day visit. The trip follows recent high-level exchanges between Beijing and Pyongyang, including a rare summit between DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2019.
Analysts suggest the visit could address economic collaboration amid global supply chain shifts and potential coordination on security issues affecting the Korean Peninsula. The timing coincides with heightened regional tensions, including the DPRK's recent missile tests and evolving dynamics between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and its allies.
China remains the DPRK's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $1.7 billion in 2022. Observers will watch for potential announcements regarding cross-border infrastructure projects or energy cooperation frameworks.
The visit marks Choe's first official trip to China since assuming the foreign minister role in 2022, reflecting Pyongyang's strategic prioritization of ties with Beijing. It comes as both nations navigate complex relationships with Western powers and seek to strengthen multilateral partnerships across Asia.
