Posted on 08/29/2010 2:05:11 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
N. Korean leader appears to be heading to third destination on China trip
BEIJINSHENYANG, China, Aug. 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il appears to be heading to a third destination in China, instead of returning home from a surprise trip to the neighboring ally believed to be linked to Pyongyang's father-to-son power transition process.
Kim's special train left the Chinese city of Changchun around 9:15 p.m. Saturday in what was believed to be a departure for home. But as of Sunday morning, there have been no signs the train has entered North Korea via the Chinese border cities of Dandong or Jian, the two most likely rail gateways the train had been expected to pass through.
Kim's "special train appears to have taken a different route," a diplomatic source in Beijing said, raising the possibility that the reclusive leader could have headed further north to the cities of Yanji or Tumen in northeastern China near the border with North Korea.
A diplomatic source in Yanji said that the local government is busy with preparations to receive a guest. "It is highly likely that it would be Chairman Kim," the source said on condition of anonymity, referring to Kim by his title as chairman of the National Defense Commission.
If Kim goes to Yanji, it would be his first visit to the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture. Yanji is the prefecture's capital and Kim has never been there apparently out of concern it may raise the eyebrows of Chinese who are sensitive to ethnic issues.
The prefecture is a key part of China's economic development plan for the country's three northeastern provinces. China has been seeking to secure Pyongyang's permission to extend its use of a port in the North's northeastern port of Rajin, which would give China access to the East Sea, from the current 10 years.
Kim's possible visit to the Yanbian prefecture would be an indication that there has been progress in economic cooperation talks between the two countries. His visit could also show his support to allowing China to use more of the port and for a longer period of time.
It was Kim's second trip to China in about three months, an unusual move by the reclusive leader who rarely travels abroad. Kim's last visit to the neighboring country, Pyongyang's last-remaining ally, in May included talks with the Chinese president.
North Korea watchers said the latest journey, which came while former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was in Pyongyang to secure the release of a jailed American citizen, appears to be aimed at winning Beijing's diplomatic support for Kim's plan to hand over power to his third and youngest son, Jong-un, reportedly in his 20s.
Kim is said to have accelerated the succession process since he suffered a stroke in 2008.
By refusing to meet Carter and instead heading to China, Kim appears to have sought to show the strength of Pyongyang-Beijing ties and send a clear message that it will not bow to U.S. pressure, experts said.
Kim's trip to China has been shrouded in secrecy. A Japanese television camera captured a blurred image of Kim walking, guarded by security agents, out of a hotel in the Jilin province. It was unknown whether he was accompanied by his youngest son and heir apparent.
On the first day of the trip Thursday, Kim made a pilgrimage to an old Chinese school and a park in Jilin, which North Korea regards as a holy place for the anti-Japanese movement by Kim Il-sung, the North's late founding leader and father of the current leader. North Korea has spread propaganda that Kim Il-sung spearheaded Koreans' fight against Japan's colonial rule from 1910-45.
North Korea and China have not made public Kim's trip. It is customary for the two sides not to announce details of Kim's trips until he returns home, apparently due to security concerns.
If he eventually arrives in Yanji, it is possible that China and Kim made a deal that China supports N. Korea politically and economically in return for expanded access to N. Korea's ports at East Sea(Sea of Japan.) This way, eastern part of China's north east region can have direct route to sea, which cut down transportation time and cost. Currently products from this region should be shipped to Dalian at Yellow Sea and loaded into cargo ships. That is a long costly trip.
In addition, China' navy could eventually set up its base in the same port. That is something to worry about.
Finally, in this trip, his special train has ten extra passenger cars attached to it, which made people suspect that the designated heir Kim Jong-eun and his entourage are in those cars.
P!
You are a tireless reported of the NK leadership, something that really should be more widely applauded imo.
Tolsti2, I agree with you. Tiger is our single-most reliable source of information, news and analysis on matters related to the Korean peninsula and NE Asia as a whole.
My guess is that he is bouncing around looking for medical treatments.
He was supposed to travel south west to Yanji-Tumen area(sharing border with N. Korea) and come back to N. Korea. Instead, he went way north in the middle of Manchuria(some 600+ km trip NNW.)
He is reported to be straying in a villa inside a resort island located in the middle of Songhua river.
That is a definite proof that he did not use platform 9¾.
This could explain his odd itinerary. This is viewed as the way to wrap him and his son with the aura of Kim Il-sung myth, hoping to provide his son with 'divine right' to be his successor. Besides, the tour on family landmarks could be the part of personal rite to wrap up his life, which would be coming soon.
Kim Jong Il’s apparent trip to China last week has excited more speculation over succession planning for the ailing North Korean dictator. That trip was widely interpreted as a way to introduce Kim's youngest son, Kim Jong Eun, to the leadership of Pyongyang's most important ally. But that is not necessarily the most important step in this process. Far more interesting may be the move afoot within Pyongyang to establish the younger Kim as the unquestioned next in line.
A few weeks ago the North Korean authorities announced that in September the ruling Korean Workers Party will hold a conference
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703669004575458723997180374.html
Subscription needed (I do not have it)
Hey Tiger is any hospitals located near that place
I think what Chia Pet up too he looking for place go way just in case get nutty in NK which that normal LOL!
Japanese spy satellite over North Korea breaks down
http://world.globaltimes.cn/asia-pacific/2010-08/568217.html
Launch some NIRT-Sats
:-)
Here is some good VISUAL SURVEILLANCE catching the Chia Pet at Harbin today, both in terms of his motorcade, and good long lens view of his specially equipped DPRK VIP train and the associated Red Chinese 公安局 PSB security detail around the Harbin train platform, spaced several meters apart to (assumably) prevent assassination of the dude.
1:10 a.m. East Coast Monday / 2:10 p.m. local Tokyo/Seoul Monday
Source: Japanese TV reporters on the prowl with long lenses (as usual). Gotta love those guys--good intel. What unabashed voyeurs and do they ever do an "international service" what with their telephotonic hijinks. ;-) LOL
Hit the white triangle at link to stream...link (above) maybe good for a little while longer, then will be taken down as usual.
Thank you for the ping SevenofNine.
Also stated that at about the time Chia Pet's special train entered the People's Hell on Earth (DPRK) from China, THEN Chinese TV showed the images of earlier in the day of him going around to various sites.
Good JNN Network footage of Kim Jong il's special train also obtained by stealthy Japanese journalists with long lens video cameras, HERE at this link (white triangle).
Hello Tiger, again thank you for informing us as so little comes out from N.Korea. ......It does look like they are begining the rites of passage for his son and Kims appointing him. I understand his son will have to undergo an extensive period of preperation and until then his Uncle will be advising and determining the way N.Korea goes. I hear his son is as brutal as Kim is...is that just rumor?
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