NHK reported that North Korea and China have agreed to resume passenger train services connecting Pyongyang and Beijing.
Citing multiple sources, NHK stated that the railway authorities of North Korea and China are in the final coordination stage regarding the resumption of train services. Operations are expected to begin as early as August. The passenger train services between Pyongyang and Beijing have been suspended since January 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19. If train services resume this time, it will mark the first operation in nearly five years.
A source familiar with North Korea-China relations noted, "Since May of this year, visits to China for inspections or training purposes by North Koreans have increased," adding, "While the atmosphere for improving North Korea-China relations does exist, caution is necessary to determine whether the resumption of train services will lead to significant changes in relations."