ID :
91728
Thu, 11/26/2009 - 14:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/91728
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N. Korean leader Kim meets with China's defense minister
By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has met with the
visiting Chinese defense minister, the North's media said Thursday, in a meeting
that signaled the intensifying relationship between the allies amid stalemate on
Pyongyang's nuclear program.
The Korean Central News Agency and other state media reported Kim's meeting on
Wednesday with Liang Guanglie, who arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday as part of his
three-nation tour.
Liang "courteously conveyed to Kim Jong-il the regards of Hu Jintao," China's
president, the report said.
Kim "expressed thanks for this and asked Liang Guanglie to convey his regards to
Hu" and they held "a cordial and friendly talk," the report said.
Kim has formerly granted meetings to visiting Chinese defense ministers depending
on the occasion. Wednesday's meeting may be a sign that the relationship between
the allies is easing after a brief freeze caused by the North's nuclear test in
May. China had joined punitive U.N. resolutions against the isolated state.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made a rare trip to Pyongyang in October, promising
large-scale economic aid. During his trip, Kim told Wen the North would
conditionally return to six-nation talks on its nuclear program.
The report said the two were accompanied by Kim Yong-chun, vice chairman of the
National Defense Commission and minister of the People's Armed Forces, and Kang
Sok-ju, North Korea's first vice foreign minister on North Korea's side, and on
China's side, Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the North.
Kang's attendance signified there may have been talks about the nuclear dispute
and upcoming bilateral talks between North Korea and the United States. Kang is
expected to meet with the U.S. special representative for North Korea policy,
Stephen Bosworth, when the latter visits Pyongyang on Dec. 8 to try to bring the
country back to the six-party talks that also involve South Korea, China, Japan
and Russia.
China fought on North Korea's side against South Korea and the U.S.-led allied
forces during the 1950-53 Korean War. The allies marked 60 years of diplomatic
relationship this year.
North Korea was the first leg of Liang's three-nation tour that continues in
Japan and Thailand until Dec. 5.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has met with the
visiting Chinese defense minister, the North's media said Thursday, in a meeting
that signaled the intensifying relationship between the allies amid stalemate on
Pyongyang's nuclear program.
The Korean Central News Agency and other state media reported Kim's meeting on
Wednesday with Liang Guanglie, who arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday as part of his
three-nation tour.
Liang "courteously conveyed to Kim Jong-il the regards of Hu Jintao," China's
president, the report said.
Kim "expressed thanks for this and asked Liang Guanglie to convey his regards to
Hu" and they held "a cordial and friendly talk," the report said.
Kim has formerly granted meetings to visiting Chinese defense ministers depending
on the occasion. Wednesday's meeting may be a sign that the relationship between
the allies is easing after a brief freeze caused by the North's nuclear test in
May. China had joined punitive U.N. resolutions against the isolated state.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made a rare trip to Pyongyang in October, promising
large-scale economic aid. During his trip, Kim told Wen the North would
conditionally return to six-nation talks on its nuclear program.
The report said the two were accompanied by Kim Yong-chun, vice chairman of the
National Defense Commission and minister of the People's Armed Forces, and Kang
Sok-ju, North Korea's first vice foreign minister on North Korea's side, and on
China's side, Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the North.
Kang's attendance signified there may have been talks about the nuclear dispute
and upcoming bilateral talks between North Korea and the United States. Kang is
expected to meet with the U.S. special representative for North Korea policy,
Stephen Bosworth, when the latter visits Pyongyang on Dec. 8 to try to bring the
country back to the six-party talks that also involve South Korea, China, Japan
and Russia.
China fought on North Korea's side against South Korea and the U.S.-led allied
forces during the 1950-53 Korean War. The allies marked 60 years of diplomatic
relationship this year.
North Korea was the first leg of Liang's three-nation tour that continues in
Japan and Thailand until Dec. 5.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
