Blackout curtains and tight security have created a shroud of secrecy around the North Koreans who arrived in Beijing on Monday aboard a train that looks suspiciously like the one that transported Kim Jong-il, the former dictator, to the Chinese capital in 2011.

The result is feverish speculation that Kim Jong-un is making his first overseas visit since inheriting North Korea from his father in late 2011. Or that he has dispatched Kim Yo-jong, his younger sister, in much the same way as she was sent on a bridge-building mission to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in South Korea in February.

But whoever crossed the Friendship Bridge over the Yalu River on Monday, the heightened…

To continue reading this article

Start a 30-day free trial for unlimited access to Premium articles

• Unlimited access to Premium articles 
• Subscriber-only events and experiences
• Cancel any time

Free for 30 days

then only £2 per week

Try Premium

Save 25% with an annual subscription

Just £75 per year

Save now

Register for free and access one Premium article per week

Register

Only subscribers have unlimited access to Premium articles.Register for free to continue reading this article
RegisterOr unlock all Premium articles.
Free for 30 days, then just £1 per week
Start trial
Save 40% when you pay annually.
View all subscription options  |
Already have an account? Login