NYT: The Secret's Out: North Korea's Leader Did Visit China

[DeepModem Mom]

The Secret's Out: North Korea's Leader Did Visit China
By JOSEPH KAHN
Published: January 19, 2006


BEIJING, Jan. 18 - Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, completed an eight-day visit to China on Wednesday that was notable for his intensive focus on China's booming economy and for the enigmatic air of secrecy that enshrouded his every move.

Chinese and North Korean state media made nearly simultaneous announcements of Mr. Kim's visit late Wednesday afternoon after more than a week of rampant speculation in regional media about the North Korean leader's itinerary, which both countries repeatedly declined to confirm or deny.

Both sides called the clandestine trip unofficial but gave no reason why they chose to use that term. China's main national television news detailed Mr. Kim's schedule in China, which it said included separate meetings with President Hu Jintao and all other eight members of the governing Politburo Standing Committee as well as tours of two Chinese provinces. It had the trappings of an elaborate state visit that would normally involve extensive media coverage.

The stealthiness may underscore North Korea's insecurity, but it also shows China's determination to coddle its neighbor and perhaps coax it to embrace Chinese-style economic changes, regional analysts said.

Beijing is also eager to keep North Korea engaged in multinational talks about its nuclear program, which have proceeded sporadically over more than two years and have yet to achieve a concrete result. Both countries reiterated their commitment to the talks but offered no tangible sign that they would resume soon after a long hiatus....


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/19/international/asia/19korea.html

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. With the US WarMachine breathing up NK's ass

.
.
.

I'm not suprised at the "clandestine" movements of NK's leader

A country barely able to feed itself threatenend by the USA "superpower"

Gawwd

What the USA could do for good in the world with the Billions it spends on destroying other countries . . .

(sigh)

[psychopomp]

5. Rather, his generals plotting against him

I doubt if he actually went...probably just a double. Who could forget the explosion little more than a year ago, written off as an "accident," just missing the Dear Leader? This trip may be just an elaborate loyalty test to see who would try to make sure he never came back to NK.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

9. Right. Keep thinking that.

[daleo]

2. I wonder what China said?

"We got your back" or "You're on your own".

More likely the former, I think. The whole thing seems elaborate for the latter. Bush could be heading for deep waters if he goes after North Korea.

[cire4]

6. Actually, China probably said....

"We still support you, just don't be stupid and fuck everything up."

The last thing China wants to see is a US invasion of North Korea. They will probably do anything and everything they possibly can to avoid another war on the Korean peninsula.

[daleo]

7. I would agree with that.

I suppose the question now is whether North Korea's actions matter one way or another. Bush may intend war (as in Iraq) regardless. China has to deal with that possible reality.

[lovuian]

3. Whose your daddy!!!

I think NKorea knows!!!

[goforit]

4. Typical VooDooo reporting by the NYT!!!!

[oblivious]

8. Secret? Clandestine? It was front page news in my local paper from day 1.

..when other visitors got thrown out of the hotel Kim was staying in.