South Korean media have predicted that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea as part of efforts by Beijing and Pyongyang to strengthen their historical ties.

South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency stated: “There is a high possibility that Xi Jinping will visit North Korea in late this month or early next month,” noting that Chinese security and protocol teams recently visited Pyongyang.

In response to a question from Bloomberg about the potential visit, an official at the South Korean presidential office said the government is closely monitoring related developments, adding: “We hope that exchanges between North Korea and China will contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and we expect China to play a constructive role in Korean Peninsula issues.”

If it takes place, this visit would be Xi’s first to North Korea in seven years, following North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s attendance at a Chinese military parade in September last year.

The Serbian president is scheduled to visit China from May 24 to 28.

South Korea is seeking to improve relations with North Korea and help arrange a meeting between Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump, but Pyongyang has largely ignored Seoul government initiatives while urging Washington to recognize North Korea as a nuclear power.

Pyongyang

Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, is one of the oldest cities on the Korean Peninsula, with a history dating back over 2,000 years. It was severely damaged during the Korean War (1950-1953) and was rebuilt in a grand, monumental Soviet-inspired architectural style, featuring wide boulevards and large statues. Today, the city is the political, cultural, and economic heart of North Korea, known for landmarks like Kim Il-sung Square and the Juche Tower.

Korean Peninsula

The Korean Peninsula is a region in East Asia, divided since 1945 into the democratic Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). Historically, it was unified under the Joseon Dynasty for over 500 years before being annexed by Japan in 1910, and after World War II, the division led to the devastating Korean War (1950–1953), which ended in an armistice but no formal peace treaty. Today, the peninsula is known for its rich cultural heritage, including ancient temples and palaces in the South, while the North remains isolated under a totalitarian regime.

Pyongyang

Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, is one of the oldest cities in the Korean Peninsula, with a history dating back over 2,000 years as a key settlement and capital of ancient kingdoms like Gojoseon. Heavily rebuilt after being devastated during the Korean War (1950–1953), the city now features grandiose Soviet-style architecture, monumental sites such as the Kim Il-sung Square and the Juche Tower, and serves as the political, cultural, and economic center of the country. Despite its historical roots, Pyongyang remains largely isolated from the outside world and is carefully curated to showcase the ideology of the ruling Kim dynasty.

Korean Peninsula

The Korean Peninsula is a region in East Asia divided into two distinct nations: the democratic Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the socialist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). Historically unified for centuries under various dynasties, it was annexed by Japan in 1910 and liberated in 1945, only to be divided along the 38th parallel after World War II, leading to the Korean War (1950-1953) and a lasting conflict. Today, the peninsula is known for its rich cultural heritage, including ancient sites like Gyeongju, as well as the stark political

Pyongyang

Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, is one of the oldest cities in Korea, with a history dating back over 2,000 years to its founding as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo. Heavily rebuilt after being devastated during the Korean War (1950–1953), the city is now characterized by monumental architecture, grand squares, and socialist realist statues, including the iconic Juche Tower. As the political, cultural, and economic center of the country, Pyongyang remains largely isolated from international influence, offering visitors a carefully curated glimpse into North Korea’s ideology and history.

Korean Peninsula

The Korean Peninsula is a region in East Asia divided into two distinct countries: democratic South Korea and communist North Korea, separated by the heavily fortified Korean Demilitarized Zone. Its history spans thousands of years, from ancient kingdoms like Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, through unified dynasties such as Goryeo and Joseon, to Japanese colonization and the devastating Korean War (1950–1953). Today, the peninsula remains a site of cultural richness and ongoing political tension.

Kim Il-sung Square

Kim Il-sung Square is a large public square in Pyongyang, North Korea, named after the country’s founding leader. It was completed in 1954 and has served as the main venue for military parades, mass rallies, and other state events, often showcasing the regime’s political and military power. The square is historically significant as a symbol of the Kim family’s leadership and North Korea’s socialist ideology.

Juche Tower

The Juche Tower is a monumental granite structure in Pyongyang, North Korea, completed in 1982 to commemorate the 70th birthday of Kim Il-sung. It symbolizes the Juche ideology, which emphasizes national self-reliance and independence. The tower stands 170 meters tall, with a torch at the top representing the guiding light of this state philosophy.

Joseon Dynasty

The Joseon Dynasty was a Korean dynastic kingdom that lasted for over five centuries, from 1392 to 1897. Founded by General Yi Seong-gye, it succeeded the Goryeo Dynasty and established Neo-Confucianism as the state ideology, profoundly shaping Korean culture, society, and governance. The dynasty is renowned for creating the Korean alphabet, Hangul, under King Sejong the Great, and for its enduring cultural and architectural legacies, such as the royal palaces in Seoul.

Gyeongju

Gyeongju, often called “the museum without walls,” is a historic city in South Korea that served as the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom for nearly a millennium. Its rich history is preserved in numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Bulguksa temple, the Seokguram grotto, and the royal tombs of the Silla rulers in the form of massive grassy mounds. Today, it stands as a major cultural destination, offering a deep glimpse into Korea’s ancient Buddhist and royal heritage.

Gojoseon

Gojoseon was the first known Korean kingdom, traditionally founded in 2333 BCE by the legendary figure Dangun. It controlled much of the Korean Peninsula and parts of Manchuria before its fall in 108 BCE, when it was conquered by the Chinese Han dynasty. Today, Gojoseon is considered a foundational state in Korean history and culture.

38th parallel

The 38th parallel is a circle of latitude that roughly divides the Korean Peninsula, most famously serving as the pre-Korean War boundary between North and South Korea following World War II. Established in 1945 as a temporary measure to accept Japan’s surrender, it became a permanent political and military demarcation line after the 1953 armistice, which created the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Today, the 38th parallel remains a symbol of the Cold War division and ongoing tensions between the two Koreas.