SEOUL (Reuters, Media reports) – On Sunday, a North Korean cargo train entered a Chinese town. It was the first time that a North Korean freight train had crossed into China since anticoronavirus border lockdowns were in effect.

North Korea hasn’t reported COVID-19-related cases. However, it has taken strict antiviral measures including closing its borders and curbing domestic travel since the outbreak in 2020.

Yonhap reported that a freight train from North Korea crossed the Yalu River bridge and arrived in Dandong, China, on Sunday.

Yonhap stated that it is the first formal opening of North Korea’s land borders to China.

Yonhap was not able to determine whether any cargo was being carried by the train to China. But, it is likely that the train will return to North Korea with an “emergency materials” load on Monday, sources informed Yonhap.

Japan’s Kyodo news agency, which cited an informed source, also reported the train arriving.

While Chinese data show some limited trade https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/chinas-nov-exports-north-korea-fall-previous-month-customs-data-2021-12-20 has continued, most shipments appear to be using North Korean seaports, not trains across its land borders.

Seoul official said that in late 2013 they would be watching out for any resumption of cross-border railway traffic, which could indicate that restrictions are being relaxed.

After nearly two years of border closures, some humanitarian aid https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/trickle-humanitarian-aid-enters-north-korea-border-closure-drags-2022-01-13 is trickling into the country, though shipments of key supplies including food remain blocked, according to United Nations organisations.

After up to three months in quarantine at Nampo’s sea port, several shipments of medical aid and nutrition have reached the country. However, there was no evidence that major shipments were being shipped by train.