Jiang Zemin, `Satisfied with Summit`

Chinese President Jiang Zemin returned to China yesterday after completing his 2 nights and 3 days visit to North Korea. North Korean government-run broadcasts reported that Chinese President Jiang left Pyongyang Sunahn Airport at 3 pm through a special flight with the North Korea`s National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-Il`s cordial send-off.

Prior to his return to China, Chinese President Jiang had the second summit with the North Korea`s National Defense Commission Chairman Kim, and reconfirmed friendly cooperation between the two countries as well as China`s economic aid to North Korea.

According to a well-informed source in Beijing, Chinese President Jiang had a luncheon talk with the North Korea`s National Defense Commission Chairman Kim at the guesthouse at Baikhwawon where Chinese President Jiang stayed during his visit, and Jiang asked Kim to visit China again whenever he could.

This source added that the schedule of Kim Jong-Il`s visit to China would be decided through the contact channel between Chinese communist party and North Korea`s labor party.

It was reported that Kim Jong-Il had told Chinese President Jiang that he would like to visit the China`s southern coastal areas, such as Suhnjeon and Kwangzuhwoo.

China`s government-run Shinwha press reported that Chinese President Jiang sent a message to Kim Jong-Il before leaving Pyongyang, which said that ``this visit was successful and I am satisfied with the result of the visit.``

Lee Jong-Hwan ljhzip@donga.com