Kim Jong-il Visits Beijing for First Time in 3 Years


By Reuben Staines
Staff Reporter

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il met with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing on Monday in an unannounced but much-rumored summit to discuss the international standoff over Pyongyang’s nuclear programs as well as ways of resolving its economic difficulties.

According to diplomatic sources and South Korean broadcasters, Kim, who was visiting the North’s only ally and provider of food and fuel for the first time since 2001, crossed the border late Sunday in a special train carrying an entourage of about 40 officials. He arrived in Beijing amid tight security and was taken to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. South Korean officials refused to confirm Kim’s visit to China.

Kim reportedly met Hu over lunch at Zhongnanhai, China’s central government complex, where they discussed the nuclear issue, China’s aid to the North and economic reform.

China’s president briefed Kim on his discussions with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney regarding the nuclear standoff and listened to Kim’s ideas on how to end the dispute.

Few details of the summit were available, but diplomatic observers believed it would focus on setting a foundation for the anticipated third round of six-party talks on the nuclear crisis.

China has been mediating between North Korea and the United States at the six-way talks. Seoul is trying to hold working-level preparatory talks for the next round before the end of June.

Chinese Foreign Ministry officials and staff at the North Korean Embassy in Beijing refused to confirm Kim’s visit.

However, South Korean broadcaster KBS quoted unidentified witnesses who observed Chinese officials greeting Kim when his train made a brief stop at Dandong, just across the border with North Korea.

When Kim visited Beijing in 2000 and 2001, neither country announced the visits until after the North Korean leader had returned to Pyongyang.

Kim was scheduled to tour Zhongguancun Technology Park, Beijing’s equivalent of Silicon Valley, before attending a welcome dinner hosted by Hu.

During his four-day stay, Kim will have a series of meetings with Chinese leaders, including former President Jiang Zemin, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, parliamentary leader Wu Bangguo and Vice President Zeng Qinghong, diplomatic sources said.

The reclusive North Korean leader is also expected to visit either the northeastern city of Shenyang or Dalian to survey economic development.

Following news of the visit, political party officials in Seoul expressed optimism that it will help pave the way for progress on the nuclear standoff.

But the mood was tempered as North Korea lashed out Sunday at Cheney, who visited Japan, China and South Korea last week, for suggesting that Pyongyang might supply nuclear weapons to terrorists.

rjs@koreatimes.co.kr