North Korea – China Summit Held

North Korea – China Summit Held. April. 19, 2004 21:20. by Yoo-Seong Hwang Young-Sik Kim yshwang@donga.com spear@donga.com.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who is visiting China, held his first summit meeting with Hu Jin-tao, China’s Communist Party leader and President, in Zhongnanhai, Beijing on Monday.

Kim and Hu were reported to have reaffirmed the alliance between North Korea and China and discussed pending issues broadly, including Korean peninsula issues such as the North’s nuclear program, and China’s economic aid to North Korea.

The summit is likely to affect future six-party talks as it was held at a time when countries of six-party talks are holding discussions to set up a working level group.

In this, his first visit after China’s fourth generation of leadership took office, Kim has reportedly asked for China’s support and cooperation emphasizing the need for a reward in return for giving up its nuclear ambitions.

Meanwhile, Hu has reportedly delivered the U.S. positions expressed by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, who made his visit to China from 13th to the 15th of this month.

There are rumors that North Korea will soon make an announcement that could signal a breakthrough in resolving the nuclear issue. Some even speculate that Kim might have told Hu that North Korea has shifted its position.

The two leaders are also reported to have exchanged ideas on North Korean style reform and open door policy, along with additional food and energy aid to the North.

“It is likely that the two leaders discussed ways to link the development of the special economic zone in Sinuiju City and the development plan of China’s three northeast provinces--Ji Lin, Liao Ning, Lei Long Jiang--that started this year,” said Beijing diplomatic sources.

The North Korean leader is scheduled to have a series of meetings on Tuesday with Chairman of the Central Military Commission Jiang Zemin, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People`s Congress Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Zeng Qinghong.

Kim and his entourage of forty senior party and government officials departed Pyongyang by special train and arrived in Beijing via the border cities of Dandong and Shenyang. He is staying at Building No 18 of the Diaoyutai State Guest House. Kim’s trip to China is the third of its kind after visits in May 2000 and January 2001.