NK leader may have discussed potential talks with US during China visit: spy agency

Published Oct 29, 2026 3:38 pm KST

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, speaks with Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, during their meeting in Dandong in this image released by Korean Central News Agency, Saturday. EPA-Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may have conveyed Pyongyang's position on potential talks with the United States during his recent visit to China, Seoul's spy agency told lawmakers Thursday.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment during a closed-door parliamentary intelligence committee audit, according to Rep. Youn Kun-young of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and Rep. Yoo Yeong-ha of the main opposition People Power Party.

The NIS also said Kim may have had a purpose for his visit to China beyond commemorating Beijing's participation in the Korean War, noting that he was accompanied by senior diplomats, such as Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, rather than military officials.

Kim took a one-day trip to Dandong on Saturday, meeting Wang Huning, China's top political adviser, and visiting a war memorial amid Pyongyang and Beijing's efforts to deepen ties.

The visit came ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in China's Shenzhen next month, which U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend. Trump has expressed interest in resuming dialogue with Kim.

发布于2026年10月29日下午3:38（韩国标准时间）

朝鲜中央通讯社周六发布的这张照片显示，朝鲜领导人金正恩（左）在丹东会见中国人民政治协商会议委员长王沪宁时交谈。图片来源：EPA-Yonhap

韩国国家情报院周四告诉国会议员，朝鲜领导人金正恩在最近访问中国期间可能传达了平壤对与美国进行潜在会谈的立场。

据执政党共同民主党议员尹根永和主要反对党国民力量党议员柳英夏称，国家情报院（NIS）在一次闭门议会情报委员会审计中做出了这一评估。

韩国国家情报院还表示，金正恩此次访华的目的可能不只是为了纪念北京参与朝鲜战争，并指出陪同他出访的是高级外交官，例如外交部长崔善姬，而不是军方官员。

周六，金正恩对丹东进行了为期一天的访问，会见了中国最高政治顾问王沪宁，并参观了战争纪念碑。此次访问正值平壤和北京努力深化关系之际。

此次访问正值亚太经合组织（APEC）峰会召开前夕，该峰会将于下月在中国深圳举行，美国总统特朗普预计将出席。特朗普曾表示有意与金正恩恢复对话。