China and North Korea have suspended cross-border rail trade, the Chinese foreign ministry confirmed, cutting off a key trade corridor for the second time since 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. 

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian announced the decision at a press conference on Friday. 

“Due to the COVID situation in Dandong, after friendly consultation between both sides, China has decided to suspend freight services from Dandong to Sinuiju,” Zhao said.

The spokesperson did not say when the decision went into effect. 

Sinuiju is situated in North Korea’s far northwest, just