Signs point to N.K. leader`s visit to China

Speculation is mounting that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il will visit China early this year, following a series of signals from the North that it is reaching out to its neighbors.

"This could be a possibility of course, because the invitation from China is already out," said one Foreign Ministry official yesterday declining to be identified.

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao reportedly extended an invitation to Kim Jong-il in March last year. In October, Wen visited Pyongyang to personally meet with the North Korean leader.

Adding to the speculation, a number of high-ranking Chinese officials visited the North last year, according to Japanese news reports.

These trips were noted as laying the groundwork for a subsequent visit by Kim.

Reports also pointed out that two of the past four visits by the North Korean leader to China occurred in January.

The Chinese government for now is denying such reports.



Critics point out that Kim Yang-gon, the North`s Korean Workers` Party department director on inter-Korean relations who is considered Pyongyang`s point man on China, has yet to visit Beijing to coordinate a definite schedule.

If Kim did visit Beijing, it would most likely be to discuss plans for the next round of the stalled six-nation talks aimed at ending the North`s nuclear weapons programs, those close to the matter said.

"There seem to be no other pressing issues, although visiting China could help emphasize North Korea`s wishes to make better friends with the rest of the world for the sake of its economy," said another ministry official requesting anonymity.

The North in November carried out a currency revaluation to help ease its financial difficulties and at the same time tighten Kim Jong-il`s control over the nation.

Kim is currently seeking to bequeath his authority to his youngest son Jong-eun.

Going to China may be a plea for Beijing`s assistance in all of these political and economic issues, experts said yesterday.

Pyongyang has already conveyed to Washington that it understands the need for another round of denuclearization talks through U.S. special envoy Stephen Bosworth who visited the North between Dec. 8-10.

The talks were halted in April when Pyongyang dropped out citing a United Nations Security Council denouncement of its rocket launch. In May, the North conducted its second nuclear test, prompting tougher sanctions from the United Nations.

But the two sides failed to set a date for the next round of denuclearization negotiations.

(jemmie@heraldm.com)



By Kim Ji-hyun