(5th LD) Xi arrives in Pyongyang as N. Korea leader offers personal welcome

(ATTN: REWRITES headline, lead paras; UPDATES with more details in paras 6-7, minor edits throughout)

SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in North Korea on Monday, China's state media reported, with leader Kim Jong-un making a rare public appearance at the airport to personally welcome Xi, who is on a two-day state visit that also marks his first trip to Pyongyang in nearly seven years.

Xi landed in Pyongyang earlier in the day at the invitation of Kim, China's Xinhua News Agency reported. He was accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan, as well as Cai Qi, director of the general office of the Communist Party's central committee, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

News footage aired by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, personally welcoming Xi and Peng at the airport in Pyongyang.

This image, captured from a broadcast from China's CCTV, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (front, R) and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, applauding during the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping in Pyongyang on June 8, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The two leaders shook hands after Xi descended from the aircraft, while North Korean children presented bouquets to the Chinese president and his wife.

A red carpet had been laid out at the airport ahead of Xi's arrival, and large national flags of North Korea and China were displayed on the terminal building, according to earlier reports.

According to Xinhua, Xi later attended a welcome ceremony held at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, where the North Korean military welcomed the Chinese leader with a 21-gun salute while a band played the national anthems of North Korea and China.

Accompanied by Kim, Xi inspected the honor guards of Pyongyang's three armed services, the report said. Following the ceremony, the Chinese first couple was moved to the Kumsusan State Guest House, with North Korean people lined up on both sides of the road waving to welcome them.

Talks were expected to follow later in the day, likely covering a wide range of issues, such as economic ties and Korean Peninsula issues, as well as ways to coordinate among Pyongyang, Beijing and Moscow.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un prior to their summit talks in Pyongyang on June 20, 2019, in this image captured from footage of China's CCTV. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Across Pyongyang, portraits of Xi and flags of both nations lined the streets in preparation for the visit, according to Chinese media reports. Banners in Korean and Chinese celebrating the tw