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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's Oct. 24 surprise day trip to the Chinese border city of Dandong, via a newly opened bridge, has prompted Seoul to express hope for renewed dialogue. The unification ministry said Monday it hopes the visit will lead to the resumption of talks with neighboring nations and contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, Yonhap and KBS World report. Kim met with senior Chinese official Wang Huning, but not President Xi Jinping, according to KBS World. Korean media view the trip as a carefully staged demonstration of strengthening relations with China, with the Korea Times noting it reaffirms 'blood ties' ahead of the Korean War anniversary and serves as a wake-up call for the South Korea-US-Japan partnership. The visit also came amid rumors of Kim's death from a brain hemorrhage, which the Korea Times dismisses as unfounded. North Korean officials have since paid tribute at the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang to fallen Chinese soldiers, state media reported Monday.