North Korea, China resume cross-border train service for first time in 6 years
Published: 12 Mar. 2026, 19:36
![This image of a train linking Pyongyang and Beijing is captured from Baidu. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/12/f4ab3d1a-67e5-4355-ba2d-222d4de22668.jpg)
This image of a train linking Pyongyang and Beijing is captured from Baidu. [YONHAP]
North Korea and China resumed on Thursday an international passenger train service linking their cities for the first time in six years, a Chinese news report said.
A five-car passenger train departed from the Chinese border city of Dandong at 10 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang at 6:07 p.m., according to China's Xinhua News Agency.
The Dandong-Pyongyang passenger line will operate daily in both directions, Xinhua said, quoting a Chinese official as saying the service will serve as a “dynamic link strengthening the friendship between these two nations.”
Also on Thursday, North Korea and China were set to resume a rail route connecting their capitals, Pyongyang and Beijing.
The resumption marks the first cross-border passenger train service between the two countries since operations were suspended in 2020 following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last year, North Korea resumed direct flight and train services between Pyongyang and Moscow, Russia's capital.
The reopening of the North Korea-China rail services comes as the two countries appear to be aligning more closely as they seek to repair relations frayed by Pyongyang's military cooperation with Russia amid speculation that the United States may seek to re-engage Pyongyang for talks.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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