A passenger train traveling from Pyongyang, North Korea, to Beijing, China, is seen crossing the China-North Korea Friendship Bridge, which connects the two countries, on the afternoon of the 12th. [Yonhap News]  

With the resumption of two-way international passenger train services connecting North Korea and China for the first time in six years on the 12th, there are observations that the human exchange between North Korea and China, which was virtually severed after COVID-19, may be entering a phase of normalization.

The North Korea-China passenger train service was suspended in January 2020 when North Korea closed its borders due to the spread of COVID-19.

Since then, exchanges between the two countries have been limited to cargo trains and restricted logistics.

The resumption of passenger train services is assessed as a symbolic measure indicating that human exchange between North Korea and China has re-entered a phase of normalization.

Traditionally, North Korea and China maintained active travel through rail and air routes, but exchanges significantly decreased due to COVID-19, leading to analyses that a certain degree of distance had emerged in the relationship between the two countries.

Recently, North Korea-China relations have shown a trend of gradual restoration.

The volume of North Korea-China trade has been on the rise again since last year, and logistics exchanges are expanding, particularly in border areas such as Dandong, China.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also hinted at the possibility of expanding exchanges between the two countries.

On the 10th, during a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Xiaojun, in response to a question about the resumption of North Korea-China passenger train services, stated, "China and North Korea are friendly neighboring countries, and maintaining regular passenger train operations is of significant importance in promoting convenient people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. China supports the relevant departments of both countries in strengthening communication to create more convenient conditions for people-to-people exchanges between the two sides."

Chinese media have also paid attention to the trend of recovering North Korea-China exchanges.

The state-run Global Times analyzed that the resumption of passenger train services signifies an expansion of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and that railways, as one of the most stable modes of transportation for North Korea-China exchanges, can play a positive role in expanding tourism and economic cooperation.

Another media outlet, Caijing, also assessed the resumption of train services as a symbolic measure for the recovery of North Korea-China exchanges after COVID-19, reporting that tourism and business exchanges are likely to gradually increase.

North Korea-China passenger train heading to Pyongyang, North Korea on the 12th. [Yonhap News]

Media outlets in Hong Kong and Taiwan have also focused on the possibility of changes in North Korea-China relations.

The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong suggested the possibility of expanding North Korea-China people-to-people exchanges with the resumption of train services, while Taiwan's Central News Agency analyzed that economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts could become more active again.

However, it appears that further time will be needed for full-scale people-to-people exchanges.

It is known that it is currently difficult for individuals to freely apply for North Korean visas, and it is predicted that train usage will be limited to North Korean residents or Chinese citizens with business visas for the time being.

A representative from China State Railway Group explained to Yonhap News that "only those with North Korean visas can use the train," adding, "Most of the passengers who have purchased tickets are North Koreans."

Nevertheless, expectations for the resumption of North Korean tourism are growing within the Chinese travel industry.

North Korea-specialized travel agencies in China have recently started taking reservations for North Korean tourism packages.

A representative from a Chinese travel agency that handles North Korean tourism packages told Yonhap News, "Reservations are currently available for North Korean tourism packages with a duration of 7-8 days departing in June," adding, "The cost is around 7,000 yuan per person (approximately 1.5 million Korean won), and some travelers have already paid deposits and made reservations."

In Beijing's diplomatic circles, there are observations that if North Korea-China people-to-people exchanges gradually expand, not only economic cooperation but also high-level exchanges could become more active again.

Hwang Tae-yeon, Deputy Research Fellow at the North Korean Research Division of the Korea Institute for National Unification, predicted, "Amid the close ties between Russia and North Korea, this can be seen as a result of the convergence of mutual interests, where China is concerned about its weakening influence over North Korea, and North Korea desires the restoration of economic cooperation with China. North Korea-China economic exchanges will gradually expand, and cooperation will continue at a manageable level."