Security tightened in China over North Korean leader's visit

Accordingly, security was tightened around the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where high-ranking foreign officials stay when visiting Beijing. Earlier, Bloomberg news agency quoted informed sources as saying that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had made a surprise visit to China.

The White House said the US could not confirm the information that Kim Jong-un was visiting China. White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said: "We cannot confirm this information. We do not know whether it is accurate or not."

If Mr. Kim is indeed visiting Beijing, this would be “another positive sign” for the atmosphere of reconciliation with North Korea. Photo: AP

Meanwhile, South Korean media reported that Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister and closest confidant of leader Kim Jong-un, may be visiting Beijing, but the South Korean presidential office said it could not confirm this information. Meanwhile, Kyodo news agency quoted informed sources as saying that the official in Beijing could be North Korean Parliament Chairman Kim Yong Nam or Choe Ryong Hae, the North Korean leader's "right-hand man".

In Beijing, a car with a diplomatic license plate of the North Korean Embassy appeared in the area of ​​the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 26. It is not excluded that this North Korean guest had discussions with Chinese officials.

If the surprise visit is confirmed, this will be Kim Jong-un's first visit to China since taking power in 2011. South Korean officials said that if Kim did visit Beijing, it would be "another positive sign" for the atmosphere of reconciliation with North Korea in the context of the planned inter-Korean summits in April and the US-North Korea summit in May./.