VOA News Sunday, August 29th, 2010
North Korea’s reclusive leader, Kim Jong Il, continued his secretive tour of China Monday, after Sunday’s visit to the industrial city of Harbin.
South Korean news agency Yonhap reports that a special train believed to be carrying Mr. Kim left Harbin Monday morning, believed to be headed south.
His visit to Harbin was expected to be his last stop in China before traveling back to Pyongyang.
South Korean media reported that Mr. Kim met with China’s president, Hu Jintao, on Friday, reportedly seeking his acceptance of North Korea’s plans for a third generation of the Kim family to come to power.
Mr. Kim is believed to have been in China, North Korea’s only major ally, since Thursday. The North Korean government does not announce its leader’s trips until he returns home.
This is Mr. Kim’s second visit to China since May and it is being linked to a succession process in Pyongyang. His youngest son, Kim Jong Un, is reported to be with him. There has been widespread speculation that the son will be given an official title during a rare meeting next month of North Korea’s ruling party, a step seen as part of a plan to make him North Korea’s next ruler.
Kim Jong Il reportedly suffered a stroke two years ago and his health is thought to be deteriorating, resulting in an acceleration in succession plans.
Some information in this story was provided by AFP.
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