China Aims to Widen Influence on Korean Peninsula via Flight Deal With Seoul, Visit to Pyongyang South Korea and China have agreed to increase weekly flights, marking the first expansion in seven years. Concurrently, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to visit North Korea, his first trip in nearly seven years. Analysts suggest China is leveraging these moves to expand its influence over both Koreas, potentially weakening regional security if South Korea lacks sufficient U.S. support.

• South Korea and China agreed to expand weekly scheduled flights for the first time in seven years.
• Chinese leader Xi Jinping will visit North Korea on June 8, his first visit in nearly seven years.
• Analysts believe China is attempting to increase its influence on both North and South Korea.
• Seoul could become a vulnerable point in the first island chain without adequate U.S. economic and security backing.