North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un has traveled to China on a multi-day state visit. Kim visits the neighboring country by Thursday at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean and Chinese state media announced on Tuesday. The unexpected meeting is likely to include the planned summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump.
Kim left North Korea’s capital Pyongyang aboard his private train on Monday, state news agency KCNA said. He was accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju and several senior government officials, including chief negotiator for negotiations with the US, Kim Yong Chol. China’s official news agency Xinhua confirmed the visit.
South Korea’s government welcomed Kim’s visit to China. A State Department official in Seoul expressed hope that the talks in Beijing could contribute to full nuclear disarmament and the creation of a permanent peace in the Korean peninsula, the South Korean news agency Yonhap said.
Hotel guests were not allowed to look on the border
Previously, South Korean media reported that a special train from North Korea had passed the border with China on Monday night. In the Chinese border town of Dandong, several armored vehicles and security forces had meanwhile blocked the roads around the station, Yonhap reported. Japanese news agency Kyodo reported that hotel guests in Dandong were prevented from entering rooms overlooking the border.
A train in which North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is said to be in Beijing Central Station
The green-yellow train already known from previous meetings crossed the Chinese border during the night on Tuesday
Fourth visit to China
Kim had visited the powerful neighbor three times last year to meet with head of state Xi. None of the trips had been announced in advance. Kim’s first visit in March was not known until his armored train was spotted in Beijing. It was his first trip abroad since he came to power in 2011. North Korea is largely isolated internationally.
China is Pyongyang’s closest ally and a major player in negotiations over North Korea’s nuclear program. This year, the two states celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
Kim threatened to change course
Kim recently threatened to change course in his New Year’s speech should the US uphold punitive measures against his country. Trump said on Sunday that the sanctions remained „in full force“ until there are „very positive“ results.
Despite the lack of progress on disarmament, Trump said the dialogue was going well. The place of the planned summit meeting is still being negotiated. „It may be announced in the not too distant future,“ says Trump. There is speculation that the summit could take place in Vietnam. There was also talk in US reports of Indonesia and Mongolia. However, an appointment is not fixed yet.
The conflict was in motion in the past year. Kim met with South Korean leader Moon Jae In three times. In June, he came to a summit with Trump. In doing so, Kim agreed to the „denuclearization“ of his country. There are no more precise definitions, a timetable or control measures for the process.
