Passenger train service connecting Pyongyang, North Korea and Beijing, China will resume operations starting January 12, marking the first such service in approximately six years since the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Korea's Ministry of Unification confirmed on January 10 that "the international train between Pyongyang, North Korea and Beijing, China is set to begin operations on January 12." Earlier the same day, Japan's Kyodo News reported that "passenger train service connecting Beijing and Pyongyang will resume," adding that "North Korea-China relations are expected to become more active going forward."
Observers suggest this move could lead to a recovery in bilateral exchanges, including increased Chinese tourism to North Korea. Analysts note the timing is not coincidental, as North Korea announced at last month's 9th Workers' Party Congress its intention to develop tourism as a major industry. Train service between the two countries had been completely suspended since January 2020 when COVID-19 began spreading.