Media reports say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is visiting China.
China's state-run news agency, Xinhua, says Kim is in China from Monday to Thursday at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
North Korea's ruling party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, said in Tuesday's edition that Kim left Pyongyang on Monday afternoon on a special train.
It says Kim is accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol Ju. A front page photo shows the couple being seen off by officials.
NHK confirmed a heavy police presence at a train station in China's northeastern border city of Dandong in Liaoning Province on Monday evening.
Security was also stepped up at a bridge between the two countries.
This is Kim's fourth visit to China -- Pyongyang's key backer. The previous trips were made last year.
The North Korean leader marks his birthday on Tuesday. He is expected to hold talks with Xi on the denuclearization -- an issue that has made little headway between North Korea and the United States.
NHK
