Late NK leader`s oldest son visited North in May: source

The eldest son of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Nam, is known to have visited the Stalinist country last month, a source knowledgeable on North Korea said Tuesday.

“Kim Jong Nam stayed in the North for several days and exchanged views with the closest aides of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un such as Chang Sung Taek, director of the administrative department of the (ruling) Workers` Party,” the source said.

“Many rumors have been spreading because Kim Jong Nam didn’t appear at major North Korean events such as the birthday of Kim Jong Il (Feb. 16) and that of (North Korean founder) Kim Il Sung (April 15), let alone the mourning period for Kim Jong Il in December last year. But his recent visit confirmed that Kim Jong Nam isn’t on bad terms with Kim Jong Un.”

Experts had said Kim Jong Nam was feeling threatened since he traveled in disguise after leaving his residence in Macau. Certain reports say he is under the protection of a Chinese intelligence agency in Beijing under the perception that Kim Jong Un could have him killed because he is a potential rival. Such claims sound unconvincing due to Kim Jong Nam’s latest visit to the North, however.

Chung Seong-jang, senior researcher at the Sejong Institute in Seoul, said, “There are signs that the relationship between Kim Jong Nam and Kim Jong Un is improving,” adding, “With Kim Jong Un’s power stabilizing, North Korea will give more freedom to Kim Jong Nam.”

Kim Jong Nam also visited St. Petersburg, Russia, and Singapore early this year, and is known to have spoken to South Koreans at the Singapore airport. Given this, some say he might be on a mission to attract foreign investment to North Korea.

shcho@donga.com