China’s new ambassador to North Korea crossed into the country to formally assume his post on Monday, Beijing’s foreign ministry has confirmed, marking the first time the DPRK is known to have opened its borders to inbound travelers since the beginning of the pandemic.

A ministry spokesperson said in a regular press briefing on Tuesday that Ambassador Wang Yajun arrived in the DPRK the day before, without specifying how he entered the country.

The announcement comes after the Japanese outlet NHK reported that its reporters observed the new ambassador cross the Yalu River into the DPRK on Monday. 

Russian