ID :
91826
Thu, 11/26/2009 - 17:43
Auther :

N. Korean leader Kim meets with China's defense minister

(ATTN: UPDATES with Liang's departure at bottom, N. Korean leader skipping meeting
with Russian speaker in paras 5,6)
By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has met with the
visiting Chinese defense minister, North Korean media said Thursday, a sign of
intensifying relations between the allies amid a stalemate over 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." They held "a cordial and friendly talk," the report said.
The meeting reflected the importance North Korea places on its relationship with
China, a major economic aid donor and the host of six-nation talks on its nuclear
program. Kim did not meet with Russia's parliamentary speaker, Sergei Mironov,
who returned home from a visit to Pyongyang on Wednesday.
China's relationship with the North showed signs of strain after the North's
nuclear test in May. Beijing joined punitive U.N. resolutions against the
isolated state.
But 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 rejoin to the six-nation talks it withdrew in spring. The nuclear
forum also involve South Korea, the United States, Japan and Russia,
The North's media said Kim was accompanied by Kang Sok-ju, North Korea's first
vice foreign minister on North Korea's side, during his meeting with Liang.
Kang's attendance signified there may have been talks about the nuclear dispute
and upcoming bilateral talks between North Korea and the U.S. 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-nation forum.
North Korean media said the Chinese defense minister returned home Thursday.
North Korea was the first leg of Liang's regional tour that continues in Japan
and Thailand until Dec. 5.
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.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)

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