North Korean media reveals Kim Jong-un rented Chinese plane

A photo in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper shows leader Kim Jong-un waving at Pyongyang airport before departing for Singapore on a chartered Chinese plane. Photo: Yonhap

The Korean Central News Agency and Korean Central Television reported that Kim left Pyongyang on the morning of June 10 on a chartered Chinese plane to attend the summit with his US counterpart in Singapore. The sources also noted that Kim boarded the Chinese plane at the airport in Pyongyang after waving to the public.

Also on June 11, Rodong Sinmun - the mouthpiece of the ruling Workers' Party in North Korea, published 16 related color photos, including a photo of Mr. Kim waving at the entrance of an Air China plane after a farewell ceremony in Pyongyang.

Analysts say Pyongyang's media rarely discloses the chartering of foreign aircraft during a leader's overseas trip, especially since the North Korean government has long promoted the ideology and slogans of self-reliance in all state affairs.

They speculate that the honest disclosure of information may have been made because Mr. Kim is inclined to put practical benefits above loss of face or personal pride.

There is also an analysis that Pyongyang intentionally revealed the leasing of Chinese planes to demonstrate its close bilateral relationship with Beijing in the face of US-led international sanctions.

“Kim, known as a sensible leader, may have accepted the advice of his advisers to prioritize aviation safety,” said Yang Moo-jin, a North Korea expert at Seoul National University. “In addition, leasing Chinese planes may have the effect of publicizing China’s active support and cooperation with the North Koreans ahead of the summit talks with the US.”

Meanwhile, a Hong Kong newspaper reported that the Boeing 747-4J6 rented by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was once used by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on foreign trips.