Is Kim Jong Il in China?

UPI ^ | 8/30/06 | Jong-Heon Lee

[bruinbirdman]

SEOUL, South Korea (UPI) -- The attention of South Korean officials once again focused on the whereabouts of North Korea`s reclusive leader Kim Jong Il amid media reports he may be secretly visiting China to meet President Hu Jintao.

If it is true, Kim`s trip could provide a crucial momentum to resolve the security crisis on the Korean peninsula fueled by the North`s recent missile tests and reported moves toward a nuclear test, officials and analysts say.

According to news reports in Seoul. South Korean officials obtained intelligence that a special train used by Kim was seen crossing the North`s northeast border with China on Tuesday.

'There is intelligence that the United States or Russia have confirmed through satellite photography that a special North Korean train was moving in China,' a South Korean government source was quoted as saying. The source said, however, it was not clear whether Kim was aboard the train.

Seoul`s YTN television also said the government has received intelligence reports that the special train headed for China. The North Korean leader has used a special train rather than aircraft for visits to China or Russia because of his alleged fear of flying.

Rumors of Kim`s possible visit to China had been earlier reported from Seoul and Tokyo last week. South Korea`s most influential Chosun Ilbo newspaper said that a senior military official from the North was staying in Beijng to discuss summit talks with Hu slated for this week. 'Authorities in Seoul and Washington were briefed that Kim Jong Il is to take a three-day trip to China around Aug. 30,' it said, citing sources.

The semi-official Yonhap News Agency reported that the Chinese government has invited Kim Jong Il to visit 'as soon as possible.' Japan`s Sankei Shimbun newspaper also said Kim was expected to travel to China this week, citing multiple sources.

South Korean government officials declined to confirm the reports. 'We can`t officially confirm the reports. Kim`s visit is only a possibility,' said Choo Kyu-ho, spokesman for South Korea`s Foreign Ministry.

Other officials said they were still checking the reports. 'As of now, we do not have any evidence,' a government official said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said there have been no preparatory security measures that were detected in the past before Kim`s travel on a special train. 'If Kim`s special train crosses the border, security guards used to be dispatched first to border towns,' he said.

But officials said they could not rule out Kim`s visit to China because his trips have been surrounded in tight secrecy. Kim has traveled to China several times, but Pyongyang and Beijing acknowledged the trip only after he returned home.

'We are keeping close watches on Kim`s possible visit to China,' the official said. 'If realized, the visit would be focused on the North`s nuclear activities and strained relations between Pyongyang and Beijing,' he said.

Analysts say Kim may be frustrated by China`s recent moves following the North`s missile tests on July 5. China has signaled anger over North Korea`s missile launches against its advice, which could prompt rival Japan to build up military forces, they said.

China, along with Russia, approved the U.N. resolution presented by Japan and the United States condemning North Korea for its missile launches and barred the country from acquiring or selling missile technology and materials related to weapons of mass destruction.

China has also frozen North Korea`s suspicious bank accounts, joining the U.S. campaign to clamp down on the communist state`s alleged financial crimes.

Beijing has reportedly reduced its food and oil supplies to the North in a punishment. China holds the key to the North`s economic survival because it is the key supplier of food and fuel to the impoverished, isolated country.

China`s crackdown on cross-border traffic could deliver a major blow to North Korea which has been increasingly dependent on China, analysts say.

'I see a possibility about Kim`s visit as he may feel the need to break the strained ties with China,' Paek Seung-joo, an analyst at the Korea Institute for Defense Analysis in Seoul.

[MaineVoter2002]

We got them covered

http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/

[BunnySlippers]

What's Kin Jon Il?

[cripplecreek]

Kinfolk to Jon I.

BTW is ROFLMAO related to Chairman Mao?

[BunnySlippers]

Besides ... not surprisingly, the title of the article was changed. And it goes to a blog.

[bruinbirdman]

Those ChiComs never could spell in American.

[BunnySlippers]

It's still wrong. S/B Kim Jong Il.

[samadams2000]

Quick start the internet rumour of a coup!!!!!!

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

Maybe he got so ronery.

[dennisw]

China shipped a lot of food to North Korea last year at no charge. Once the train was off loaded Kim's men told the Chinese railway men to go back home. But without the train. KOREA KEPT THE TRAIN!

[Brad from Tennessee]

He may end up in a Chinese prison for counterfeiting. The Chinese banks have been burned by a lot of Kim's funny money.

[unkus]

Maybe Kim in rice paddy now-

[fieldmarshaldj]

"I'm so Ronery / So ronery / So ronery and sadry arone / There's no one / Just me onry / Sitting on my rittle throne / I work very hard to be number one guy / but, stiwr there's no one to right up my rife / Seems rike no one takes me serirousry / And so, I'm ronery / A rittle ronery / Poor rittle me / There's no one I can rerate to / Feewr rike a biwd in a cage / It's kinda siwry / but, not reawry / because, it's fiwring my body with rage / I'm the smartest, most crever, most physicawry fit / but, none of the women seem to give a s*it / Maybe someday, they'wr awr notice me / And untiwr then, I'wr be ronery / Yeah, a rittle ronery / Poor rittle me..."

[bruinbirdman]

"Maybe Kim in rice paddy now-"

Night soil fertilizer?

yitbos

[unkus]

Sorry, I meant Lice paddy.

[Turbopilot]

Dear CIA,

We have a small favor to ask of you:

Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,
Japan and South Korea

[nuconvert]

"Is Kim Jong Il in China?"

That was the rumor a couple days ago

[Petey139]

Give if a few more days, If ever a whole hotel is booked by one person and a whole area has to be cleared. Then it's Typical Kim. The Greedy B@stard who wants more than just free accomodation.