Kim Jong-il may have met with Hu Jintao, sources say

Posted on : 2010-08-28 12:48 KST Modified on : 2010-08-28 12:48 KST
Experts have raised N.Korean leadership succession and economic development as possible goals of Kim’s trip
 Aug 27. (Photo by Shin So-young)
Aug 27. (Photo by Shin So-young)

By Lee Je-hoon, Staff writer

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il reportedly spent Friday, the second day of his visit to China, in Changchun, the capital of Jilin province. Arriving in Changchun by car in the morning, Kim and his party’s visit has been conducted in extreme secrecy. After entering the Nanhu Hotel, they did not appear to leave, and have revealed no clues about to their whereabouts.

Chinese leader Hu Jintao appeared to have make a sudden visit to Changchun to meet with Kim.

A Cheong Wa Dae (the presidential office in South Korea or Blue House) key official said, “It seems that Hu held a summit with Kim and possibly dined with him, although I cannot say that with 100 percent certainty.”

Another official with Cheong Wa Dae added, “Hu’s behavior like this is extremely exceptional in terms of usual diplomatic protocol.”

On the ground in Changchun, security had grown tight in the morning, with roads leading to the cities airports closed, and there was news that a high-ranking official had arrived by plane. Japan’s Kyodo News, quoting a Chinese human rights group in Hong Kong, also reported that Hu arrived at Changchun Airport aboard his personal plane at 10:45 a.m. Local sources say a convoy of six cars coming from the airport arrived at Kim’s accommodation at around 11:45, and they did not leave until the afternoon.

The Chinese figures the cars were carrying have not been confirmed.

The Chinese authorities are not confirming whether China’s top leader would go against protocol and visit Changchun directly to hold talks with Kim. Traffic was being carefully controlled around the Nanhu Hotel, where Kim and his entourage were staying. In the afternoon, security was bolstered still further, making it impossible for reporters to approach the site.

Regarding the objective of Kim’s visit, a high-ranking Cheong Wa Dae official said, “The most urgent matter for North Korea is the issue of succession, and the visit is similar to how South Korean leaders sometimes visit the Hyeonchungsa Shrine in Asan prior to making a big decision.”

A South Korean government official said, “I believe it is possible that Kim’s third son Kim Jong-un, reportedly designated as the next North Korean leader, accompanied his father.”

Meanwhile, an interfaith group composed of Protestants, Buddhists, Won Buddhists, Cheondogyo and Catholic figures visited North Korea using the overland Gyeongui route on Friday, bringing with them 300 tons of flour for North Koreans suffering starvation. This is the first time food aid has been sent to North Korea overland since measures stopping inter-Korean trade and exchanges were put in place on May 24 in the wake of the Cheonan sinking.

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