Chinese President Hu May Delay His Visit to the North

According to the latest May 10 issue of U.S. News and World Report, a senior U.S. State Department official said “Chinese President Hu Jintao seems to be holding off on visiting Pyongyang to meet with Kim Jong Il, and this may indicate Chinese unhappiness with North Korea’s pulling out of the six-party talks over its nuclear program.”

So far, foreign news reports have said that President Hu would visit the North in May at the earliest and no later than June.

The magazine reported that “U.S. officials have been concerned that the Chinese were reluctant to squeeze the North Koreans politically or economically,” and went on to say that “But they see this as an initial sign that the Chinese are frustrated with North Korea’s posture.”

It added that North Korea heavily depends on China for trade, oil, and even food. A visit from President Hu will be a highly prestigious event for Kim.

Hyong-gwon Pu bookum90@donga.com