ID :
119870
Sun, 05/02/2010 - 18:25
Auther :

N. Korean leader`s trip to China seen imminent: source

SEOUL, May 2 (Yonhap) -- A trip to China by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il
appears imminent, a South Korean government source said Sunday.
The North's leader "has not crossed into China yet, but it appears highly likely
that his Chinese trip would come either today or tomorrow as a considerable level
of preparations have been done," the source said on condition of anonymity.
The source did not provide specifics.
If realized, Kim's long-speculated trip to China had been expected to raise the
prospects of reopening six-nation talks on ending North Korea's nuclear programs.
But such chances were thrown into doubt in the wake of the sinking of a South
Korean naval ship in waters near North Korea.
The communist nation is a primary suspect in the sinking, though it denies
responsibility.
If Kim goes to China, he is expected to seek aid to support the North's crumbling
economy.
The reclusive leader rarely travels abroad, and there have been rumors that he
fears flying. Neighboring China and Russia, accessible by Kim's luxurious armored
train, have been his only foreign destinations in many years.
Kim's previous visits to China were made in 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2006.
(END)

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