More uncertainties about Kim Jong-Il's trip
Shanghai (AsiaNews/Agencies) Despite the interest of South Korean, Japanese and US media, secret services and diplomacies, it is not currently known where North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-Il is. But according to US sources, he should be in China; according to South Korean sources, he is instead in Russia.
The 'Dear leader' might have travelled to China, his closest ally, last Tuesday on his armoured train or, unusual for him, by special plane.
Several times, anonymous but well-informed sources told South Korean news agency Yohnap about new developments in the alleged visit.
Kim, who officially is only the chairman of North Korea's National Defence Commission, is said to have left southern China for the Russian border. But no official statement confirming or denying the fact has for the time being been made.
China usually confirms visits by its ally only when they are over as happened in 2000, 2001 and 2004. Russia has so far abstained from making any statement. Japan instead made an unexpected announcement. Shinzo Abe, a spokesman for the Japanese government, said yesterday that "as far as we know it is highly probable that Kim is visiting China".
Whatever the case may be, nothing is certain about the North Korean leader's plans. Many international geopolitics experts do believe though that he is likely meeting top Chinese officials to discuss North Korea's dangerous nuclear programmes. They are currently at a crossroad.
The six-nation talks between the two Koreas, United States, China, Japan and Russia in Beijing are currently on hold after Washington imposed financial sanctions against Pyongyang. The Americans accuse the North Koreans of counterfeiting money, money laundering, drug trafficking and selling arms of mass destruction.
"We hope that he is there and having high-level meetings [in China]," said Alexander Vershbow, US Ambassador to South Korea.
The Sino-Korean border and North Korea's almost total dependence on China's economy are also likely on the discussion table.
"They [the Chinese] don't want border instability," said Moon Chung-in, a foreign-policy analyst at Seoul's Yonsei University and an adviser to South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun. The Chinese are indeed not too concerned about international criticism for forcibly sending back North Korean refugees. Historically, calm and stability in neighbouring countries are their main interest.
The visit might also provide an opportunity to discuss Kim's succession. The North Korean leader has in fact not yet named an "heir" even if he, himself, succeeded his father, the late Kim Il-Sung.
Meanwhile, US negotiator at the six-nation talks, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher R. Hill, is expected to travel to Seoul and Beijing after visiting Tokyo yesterday.
According to Japanese daily Asahi, Hill's trip to the Chinese capital might provide an opportunity "for secret contacts with Kim Jong-Il's officials".
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