A 280-member North Korean art troupe will perform at National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Jan. 26 and 30. / Yonhap

By Yi Whan-woo

A North Korean art troupe will perform in China, Saturday, in an apparent sign that the two countries are enhancing their ties ahead of a planned second summit between the North's leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump next month.

The performance is the first since the all-female Morang Band ― purportedly formed by Kim ― snubbed China by abruptly calling off a scheduled performance in Beijing in December 2015.

Following Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile tests, bilateral ties hit their lowest level until Kim visited Beijing in March last year and resumed talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Diplomatic sources said Friday an estimated 280 "leading artists" arrived in Beijing, Wednesday, at the invitation of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

The troupe is jointly led by Ri Su-yong, a former foreign minister vice chairman of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party, and Hyon Song-wol, the leader of both the Samjiyon Orchestra and the Moranbong Band.

The troupe, comprised of members of these and the State Merited Chorus, held rehearsals Thursday and Friday at the National Centre for the Performing Arts under heavy security.

There will be two performances at the venue, including Monday when Xi and other high-ranking officials are expected to attend.

The performances are for invited guests only and are not open to the public.

The details of the programs have not been revealed.

"It is likely the guests will be accompanied by their spouses," a source said. "The size of this performance team marks the biggest North Korea has ever dispatched overseas.

Another source speculated the size reflects the significance of the 70th anniversary of North Korea-Chinese diplomatic relations this year.

Meanwhile, Ri met Song Tao, who leads the Chinese Communist Party's International Liaison Department, and other relevant officials.

In December 2015, the Hyon-led Moranbong Band called off its performance and returned home abruptly, after Chinese officials took issue with propaganda images on the stage.