Kim Jong-il’s China Visit Still Uncertain

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il hosted a welcoming dinner Saturday in Pyongyang for the new Chinese ambassador to the North, according to media reports.

 

The reports from the North Korean state media and China's state-controlled wire service verified that Kim was still in the North, Saturday, debunking some media speculation that he left Pyongyang for China by train over the weekend.

 

The state-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Sunday that Kim threw a banquet for Liu Hongcai, the new ambassador. Several party and military officials in the North also attended the dinner.

 

KCNA didn't elaborate on when and where the welcoming dinner took place, but China's Xinhua News Agency reported it was in Pyongyang.

 

Earlier, intelligence sources had revealed that Kim would likely meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao in late March or early April.

 

The report about Kim's possible visit to China came after the impoverished North Korean economy went from bad to worse after the failed currency reform that was implemented last November.

 

The top-down currency reevaluation resulted in endless difficulties, making it almost impossible for residents to make ends meet as prices soared.

 

In addition, the food situation there worsened and Premier Kim Yong-il delivered an apology to the public for causing the suffering.

 

Pak Nam-ki, the communist party's economic policy director, was reportedly executed for his role in the reform plan.

 

Given the worsening economic situation, North Korea watchers surmise that Kim Jong-il will request economic assistance from the Chinese leader.

 

In return, they predict, China will encourage the North to return to the six-party talks to resolve the latter's nuclear program.

 

North Korea bowed out of the multilateral talks last April and conducted a second underground nuclear test last May.

 

Source: The Korea Times