ID :
119872
Sun, 05/02/2010 - 18:44
Auther :

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

(ATTN: UPDATES with remarks from diplomatic sources in Seoul)
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.
An official from Seoul's foreign ministry, also speaking on condition of
anonymity, said the government has detected signs of Kim's imminent trip to the
North's ally.
"We have seen some signs and we are now closely monitoring the situation," the
official said.
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.
A foreign diplomatic source in Seoul earlier said the resumption of the six-way
nuclear negotiations will likely be delayed until the results of an ongoing
investigation into the ship sinking are known.
"All evidence points to a torpedo. The question is 'Who is it?,' but there are
not too many likely candidates there," the source said. "I think we need a little
bit of a pause in efforts to restart the six-party talks."
The nuclear talks, involving both South Korea and the North, the United States,
Japan, China and Russia, were last held in December 2008.
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.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)

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