The China State Railway Group announced on March 9 that it would resume direct passenger rail service between Beijing and Pyongyang and international passenger rail service between China's border city of Dandong and Pyongyang, effective March 12. Rail lines will run four times a week and primarily service diplomats and official business trips, a Chinese official told Yonhap News Agency, but they will also accommodate general passengers as space permits.

North Korea's June 2024 defense agreement with Russia has facilitated greater foreign engagement by Pyongyang, including Kim's visit to Beijing in September 2025. Moreover, North Korea's quinquennial party congress in late February laid out plans to expand ties with "anti-imperialist powers," including China and Russia.