Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit North Korea as early as next week, Yonhap News reported, citing government officials, as Beijing and Pyongyang deepen ties. The visit, which would be Xi’s first to North Korea in seven years, could follow Kim Jong Un’s Beijing trip for China’s military parade last September. Yonhap said Chinese security and protocol teams recently visited Pyongyang. South Korea said it is closely monitoring developments and hopes China will play a constructive role in Korea

Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit North Korea as early as next week, Yonhap News reported, citing government officials, as Beijing and Pyongyang deepen ties. The visit, which would be Xi’s first to North Korea in seven years, could follow Kim Jong Un’s Beijing trip for China’s military parade last September. Yonhap said Chinese security and protocol teams recently visited Pyongyang. South Korea said it is closely monitoring developments and hopes China will play a constructive role in Korean Peninsula stability.