Kim Jong Il Plans August China Visit

Daily NK, the Internet news outlet that specializes in North Korean events, reported on August 23 that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il would visit China around August 28.

Daily NK quoted a Chinese diplomatic news source stating that a senior official of the North Korean People’s Army is residing in China in order to prepare for Kim’s visit to the country.

The source reported that Kim’s upcoming visit is closely related to North Korea’s nuclear test preparations and that the Chinese authorities may have likely invited Kim in order to dissuade the nuclear tests.

Daily NK also quoted a Japanese news source stating that Kim Jong Il may be visiting China in order to deliver his intentions to carry through with the nuclear tests.

The Associated Press (AP) reported on the same day that South Korea’s Internet news Daily NK reported about Kim’s visit to China next week.

spear@donga.com