Kim Jong-un may visit China this week with N. Korea-U.S. talks looming
- 5 years ago
With North Korea and China set to mark the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations... many watchers are speculating North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may travel there this week.
Observers say that, if Kim does go,... Pyeongyang may use its close ties with Beijing as leverage ahead of its delayed working-level negotiations with the United States.
Lee Seung-jae has the story.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited China four times since assuming power in late 2011.
Kim visited China just before his first and second summits with U.S. President Donald Trump,... to show the cooperation between the two communist allies.
And with working-level talks between Pyeongyang and Washington tentatively set for some time in the near future,... many speculate Kim may again visit China, and as early as this week.
Giving more credence to the speculation, North Korea and China are set to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.
Observers say it would be the perfect time for the leaders to show their continued cooperation.
South Korea's intelligence agency also believes a visit is likely.
It could happen before or after October 6th, since the day marks the anniversary of North Korea-China diplomatic relations. Ahead of the first two North Korea-U.S. summits, Kim visited China. Given that precedent, the possibility is there.
As a result, many observers say a full resumption of working-level talks between Pyeongyang and Washington will only take place after Kim returns from China.
Meanwhile, North Korea's ambassador to the UN has expressed optimism about restarting denuclearization talks with the United States.
Speaking in New York on Saturday, local time, Kim Song said he feels "positive" about the resumption of dialogue,... as well as the timing of a possible meeting between the leaders.
If Kim heads to China this week,... it's highly likely he will stress the Pyeongyang-Beijing relationship and call for security guarantees from China,... which he may use as a bargaining chip in the regime's negotiations with Washington.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
Observers say that, if Kim does go,... Pyeongyang may use its close ties with Beijing as leverage ahead of its delayed working-level negotiations with the United States.
Lee Seung-jae has the story.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited China four times since assuming power in late 2011.
Kim visited China just before his first and second summits with U.S. President Donald Trump,... to show the cooperation between the two communist allies.
And with working-level talks between Pyeongyang and Washington tentatively set for some time in the near future,... many speculate Kim may again visit China, and as early as this week.
Giving more credence to the speculation, North Korea and China are set to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.
Observers say it would be the perfect time for the leaders to show their continued cooperation.
South Korea's intelligence agency also believes a visit is likely.
It could happen before or after October 6th, since the day marks the anniversary of North Korea-China diplomatic relations. Ahead of the first two North Korea-U.S. summits, Kim visited China. Given that precedent, the possibility is there.
As a result, many observers say a full resumption of working-level talks between Pyeongyang and Washington will only take place after Kim returns from China.
Meanwhile, North Korea's ambassador to the UN has expressed optimism about restarting denuclearization talks with the United States.
Speaking in New York on Saturday, local time, Kim Song said he feels "positive" about the resumption of dialogue,... as well as the timing of a possible meeting between the leaders.
If Kim heads to China this week,... it's highly likely he will stress the Pyeongyang-Beijing relationship and call for security guarantees from China,... which he may use as a bargaining chip in the regime's negotiations with Washington.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.