Kim reportedly on trip to China
Source: Agencies |
May 4, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Il arrived on a luxury 17-car train in China yesterday, according to reports, in what would be his first journey abroad in years.
Rumors of a Kim trip, the first since one to China in 2006 and since the 68-year-old leader reportedly suffered a stroke in 2008, have circulated for months.
They were fueled when President Hu Jintao invited Kim for a visit to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries.
Kim's special armored train arrived early yesterday to a phalanx of soldiers and police in the northeast Chinese border city of Dandong, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said. Kim is known to shun air travel.
Kim met local Dandong leaders before moving on. The train then headed to Dalian in northeast China, Yonhap said.
A convoy of 15 limousines was seen arriving at the city's five-star Furama Hotel, the report said.
Broadcaster YTN aired blurry footage of Kim in sunglasses outside the hotel with an entourage. Japan's Kyodo News agency also said Kim was seen at the hotel.
A switchboard operator at the hotel, where the presidential suite costs more than US$2,100 a night, said that security had been tightened but she would not say whether Kim was expected.
There was no mention of the Kim trip to China in North Korean state media, which typically reports on his journeys after he returns home.
Yoo Ho-yeol, a professor of North Korean studies at Korea University in Seoul, said he expected Kim to seek Beijing's help in addressing speculation that North Korea was involved in the downing of South Korea's Cheonan navy ship.
Yoo said Kim may also ask for financial help in return for announcing Pyongyang's return to the nuclear talks.
North Korea's botched currency reform aimed at regaining control over the economy late last year is believed to have worsened its financial woes.
Rumors of a Kim trip, the first since one to China in 2006 and since the 68-year-old leader reportedly suffered a stroke in 2008, have circulated for months.
They were fueled when President Hu Jintao invited Kim for a visit to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries.
Kim's special armored train arrived early yesterday to a phalanx of soldiers and police in the northeast Chinese border city of Dandong, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said. Kim is known to shun air travel.
Kim met local Dandong leaders before moving on. The train then headed to Dalian in northeast China, Yonhap said.
A convoy of 15 limousines was seen arriving at the city's five-star Furama Hotel, the report said.
Broadcaster YTN aired blurry footage of Kim in sunglasses outside the hotel with an entourage. Japan's Kyodo News agency also said Kim was seen at the hotel.
A switchboard operator at the hotel, where the presidential suite costs more than US$2,100 a night, said that security had been tightened but she would not say whether Kim was expected.
There was no mention of the Kim trip to China in North Korean state media, which typically reports on his journeys after he returns home.
Yoo Ho-yeol, a professor of North Korean studies at Korea University in Seoul, said he expected Kim to seek Beijing's help in addressing speculation that North Korea was involved in the downing of South Korea's Cheonan navy ship.
Yoo said Kim may also ask for financial help in return for announcing Pyongyang's return to the nuclear talks.
North Korea's botched currency reform aimed at regaining control over the economy late last year is believed to have worsened its financial woes.
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