South Korea’s JoongAng Daily reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has delayed his trip to China until mid-April:
“There is a possibility that Kim may delay his visit to sometime later in April as Chinese President Hu Jintao will visit Washington to attend the nuclear security summit and tour three South American nations, including Brazil,” the source said. “Kim’s trip will likely take place sometime after April 18 when Hu finishes his overseas trips.”
The Chinese government may also have been reluctant to meet with Kim at this particularly sensitive time, according to an informed source.
“There was no clear conclusion whether the North was directly or indirectly involved in the recent sinking of the South Korean Navy ship Cheonan, or not involved at all,” the source said. “In such sensitive circumstances, the Chinese leadership would have to consider how the summit would appear to others.”
See also “Chinese Media Focus on Kim Jong-il” from Chosun Ilbo.
