Kyodo: Is Kim Jong-un visiting China?
(Baonghean.vn) - On March 26, informed sources said that a high-ranking North Korean official appeared to be visiting China, but it is currently impossible to verify whether this person is North Korean leader Kim Jong-un or not.
The official's visit is aimed at improving relations between Pyongyang and Beijing, which have been strained over North Korea's nuclear ambitions, the sources said.
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If the official is identified as Mr. Kim, this would be his first foreign visit since becoming North Korea's leader. Photo: AP |
As China, concerned about the contamination of its nuclear tests, has stepped up economic sanctions against Pyongyang, the official may seek to persuade Beijing to ease sanctions and instead offer economic cooperation such as food aid and investment.
According to the same source, on March 25, a special train possibly carrying the above official passed through the city of Dandong (China), located close to the border with North Korea.
Hotels around the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge connecting the North Korean town of Sinuiju with the city of Dandong have suspended reservations since March 25, apparently to prevent anyone from seeing the train. And in Beijing, a car with diplomatic plates from the North Korean Embassy was spotted on March 26 in the Great Hall of the People.
Strict traffic regulations were also implemented in the capital Beijing on March 26.
If the official is identified as Kim Jong-un, this will be his first foreign visit since becoming North Korean leader in 2011./.