【每日电讯报】North Korean heir-apparent secretly visits China

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North Korean heir-apparent secretly visits China
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/5549251/North-Korean-heir-apparent-secretly-visits-China.html

By Malcolm Moore in Shanghai Published: 11:48AM BST 16 Jun 2009


Alleged pictures of Kim Jong-Un, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il's third son and heir apparent Photo: AFP

Kim Jong-un, who is allegedly poised to succeed his father Kim Jong-il as the leader of North Korea, has made a secret visit to Beijing to seek China's approval.

A report in Japan's Asahi newspaper said the younger Kim, 25, visited Hu Jintao and other Communist Party officials on a trip around June 10.

A North Korean aide reportedly told the Chinese that Kim Jong-un had been appointed heir to his father and held an important post in the ruling Korean Workers' Party.

A spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry said he had not heard of any visit. North Korean state media did not report the event, but has never written about any of Kim Jong-il's children in the past.

Analysts have suggested that North Korea's recent belligerence, including a nuclear test on May 25, is part of a succession campaign which will bolster the younger Kim's image. Kim Jong-il, 67, is believed to have suffered a stroke last year and is preparing to hand over power.

"If what was said in the paper is proven to be true, it would not be a stretch to say the decision to make him heir is official," said Ko Yu-hwan, a professor of North Korean studies at Seoul's Dongguk University.

China is generally sympathetic to North Korea, and Beijing has more influence over Pyongyang than any other power. However the events of the past few months have stretched the patience of the Chinese government.

The Asahi newspaper also reported that President Hu asked the North Koreans not to hold any further nuclear tests or missile launches. In return, Kim Jong-un allegedly asked for emergency aid for his impoverished country.

A fresh set of sanctions have been applied against North Korea by the United Nations. In response, North Korea has vowed to build as many nuclear weapons as possible. A large rally in Pyongyang was also held on Monday to denounce the UN.

"In case the enemies foolishly attempt to blockade the DPRK [North Korea], it will respond with resolute and deadly blows," a senior North Korean official said to the state news wire.

Meanwhile, President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea and President Barack Obama are due to meet in Washington on Tuesday.