N. Korean premier to visit China next week: report

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead, CHANGES dateline to Beijing, UPDATES with China's
announcement in first 4 paras, bottom)
BEIJING, March 10 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's premier will visit China next week to
meet with top officials, a Beijing spokesman said Tuesday, as the allies
celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations this year.
Kim Yong-il will "pay an official goodwill visit to China" from March 17-21,
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a press briefing.
North Korea's state media said earlier in the day that Kim will visit China
"soon" at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao. It did not
specify the time or purpose of the visit.
The Chinese spokesman did not say whom Kim will meet in Beijing, but said he will
"exchange views about Sino-North Korean issues and international and local issues
of mutual concern" with Chinese leaders.
North Korea and China are celebrating the "year of Sino-DPRK friendship" to mark
their 60th year of diplomatic relations. China fought for North Korea in the
1950-53 Korean War against South Korea and the United States and currently
remains as the 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.
Chinese President Hu Jintao 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. Kim dropped out of the public eye
for weeks and missed a major event in early September marking the nation's
founding, sparking widespread speculation about his health. Kim has recently
traveled as far as the country's northernmost region.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)