ID :
42357
Fri, 01/23/2009 - 19:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/42357
The shortlink copeid
N. Korean leader meets visiting Chinese official: Xinhua
SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il met with a visiting Chinese official on Friday, China's Xinhua news agency said, in his first appearance to a foreign guest since he reportedly suffered a stroke last summer.
Wang Jiarui, chief of the international department in the Chinese Communist
Party's central committee, met with the North Korean leader on Friday, the
Chinese news agency said.
In a closely watched trip, Wang arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday, raising
speculation the North Korean leader may appear to greet him as all on his
previous visits, the latest being in January 2008.
Sources say Wang's visit aims to lay the groundwork for a possible summit between
the two leaders. In a related sign, China's foreign ministry delegation visited
Pyongyang earlier this month. This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between the allies.
Wang's visit also coincided with the inauguration of the Barack Obama
administration in the United States.
Pyongyang has been waiting for Obama's inception as an opportunity to start anew
with Washington after eight years of largely frayed relations. In an unusually
prompt move, the North's official Korean Central News Agency quickly announced
Obama's inauguration less than 24 hours after the ceremony.
In his swearing-in ceremony, Obama vowed to work with "old allies and former
foes" to lessen the nuclear threat. Obama had said during his election campaign
that he is willing to meet the North Korean leader to help terminate the North's
nuclear weapons program.
The six-party denuclearization talks, which also include South Korea, China,
Japan and Russia, are in limbo until Obama officially rolls out his North Korea
policy.
In an apparent message to the new U.S. administration, North Korea said last week
it would hold onto its nuclear weapons until it feels safe from the U.S. military
stationed in South Korea.
Xinhua's report had no word on Kim's health condition. The leader's health has
drawn keen attention as it is bound to a power succession in the communist state.
He turns 67 next month.
Kim is recovering and is back in control of his country, according to Seoul
officials.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
Wang Jiarui, chief of the international department in the Chinese Communist
Party's central committee, met with the North Korean leader on Friday, the
Chinese news agency said.
In a closely watched trip, Wang arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday, raising
speculation the North Korean leader may appear to greet him as all on his
previous visits, the latest being in January 2008.
Sources say Wang's visit aims to lay the groundwork for a possible summit between
the two leaders. In a related sign, China's foreign ministry delegation visited
Pyongyang earlier this month. This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between the allies.
Wang's visit also coincided with the inauguration of the Barack Obama
administration in the United States.
Pyongyang has been waiting for Obama's inception as an opportunity to start anew
with Washington after eight years of largely frayed relations. In an unusually
prompt move, the North's official Korean Central News Agency quickly announced
Obama's inauguration less than 24 hours after the ceremony.
In his swearing-in ceremony, Obama vowed to work with "old allies and former
foes" to lessen the nuclear threat. Obama had said during his election campaign
that he is willing to meet the North Korean leader to help terminate the North's
nuclear weapons program.
The six-party denuclearization talks, which also include South Korea, China,
Japan and Russia, are in limbo until Obama officially rolls out his North Korea
policy.
In an apparent message to the new U.S. administration, North Korea said last week
it would hold onto its nuclear weapons until it feels safe from the U.S. military
stationed in South Korea.
Xinhua's report had no word on Kim's health condition. The leader's health has
drawn keen attention as it is bound to a power succession in the communist state.
He turns 67 next month.
Kim is recovering and is back in control of his country, according to Seoul
officials.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
