ID :
50914
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 10:51
Auther :

N. Korean premier embarks on trip to China



BEIJING, March 17 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's premier started his five-day trip to
China on Tuesday, where he will attend an opening ceremony marking the 60th
anniversary of bilateral relations and likely meet with Chinese leaders.

Kim Yong-il, premier of North Korea's Cabinet, arrived in Beijing as his country
prepares to launch what it claims is a communications satellite into orbit in
early April. China reportedly shares the concern of other regional countries
about the planned rocket launch.
North Korean and Chinese state media announced Kim's visit earlier this month.
Kim is expected to attend the ceremony for the opening of the "year of Sino-DPRK
friendship" in Beijing on Wednesday.
He will also likely hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao and pay a
visit to Chinese President Hu Jintao.
China fought for North Korea in the 1950-53 Korean War against South Korea and
the United States and is a major donor to the impoverished North. South Korea's
humanitarian aid to Pyongyang was suspended about a year ago amid faltering
cross-border relations.
Speculation has mounted that the allies may arrange a new summit this year. Hu
invited North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to Beijing through a letter, and Kim has
accepted it, according to China's Xinhua news agency in January.
Seoul officials believe Kim Jong-il, 67, has recovered enough to travel to China
after allegedly suffering a stroke in August.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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