The eyes of the world are on how China would treat the N. Korean envoy

Ri Su Yong, vice chairman of the central committee under North Korean Workers' Party of Korea and former diplomat, made a surprise visit to China on May 31. He is the highest official of the North to visit China since the fourth nuclear test was conducted in January. Ri is highly trusted by the country’s leader, having taken care of Kim Jong Un when he was studying in Switzerland. Pyongyang once again failed a missile launch in the morning of the same day Ri visited Beijing, showing that its efforts to recover diplomatic ties with China does not mean giving up its nuclear program.

The UN Security Council adopted the strongest ever sanctions against Pyongyang on March 2, aimed at deterring its additional launches of long-range ballistic missiles. The member countries are mandated to submit reports on their implementation status by June 2. Apart from the UN’s decisions, the US, Japan, and the EU have imposed individual sanctions. Kim Jong Un’s dispatch of special envoy to Beijing, as well as the recent suggestion for a military meeting with Seoul, seems to indicate his efforts to persuade the ally against implementing the sanctions.

Ri’s footsteps are a reminder of the year 2013, when Choe Ryong Hae paid a visit to China three months after the UN sanctions took effect in February that year. At that time, Choe showed intentions to resume the six-party talks, leading to softer sanctions from China, but nothing changed after all, except for allowing more time for DPRK to enhance their nuclear capabilities and continue provocative behaviors. It is highly likely that the two communist allies will try to build a mood of peaceful talks and negotiations. However, the international community should no more be deceived by such a trick.

The missiles that Pyongyang failed to launch Tuesday are known to have the capacity of attacking U.S. military bases in Guam, flying 3,000 - 4,000 kilometers. Xi Jinping must be well aware of why Kim Jong Un carried out the test on the same day when Ri’s visit is scheduled. China has been complying with the UN more than it did in the past, but still not up to the point where Kim’s regime and the livelihoods of the people could be threatened. This is partly why the regime believes that it will be recognized as a nuclear state sooner or later, with the support from its neighbor.

Ri’s visit to China will be a testbed where the international community can confirm‎ whether the country is committed as a UNSC member. Beijing should take this opportunity to make the envoy report to his boss that discarding nuclear ambitions is the only way to survive, showing its dedication to the international community, not to mention South Korea.

한기흥기자 eligius@donga.com