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China to implement NKorea resolution, mum on Kim visit
Beijing (AFP) June 16, 2009 China said Tuesday it would "earnestly" implement a UN resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear test, but warned countries against action that could aggravate the situation. Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang also refused to confirm or deny Japanese and South Korean media reports that North Korean heir apparent Kim Jong-Un and the nation's defence minister had visited Beijing in recent days. "We are not aware of the relevant situation," Qin said when asked if the son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il had visited China. North Korea vowed Saturday to build more nuclear weapons and start enriching uranium for a new atomic weapons programme, following the UN Security Council's unanimous vote Friday to impose tougher sanctions for its May nuclear test. Qin said China would implement the resolution, including inspections of suspected shipments of banned items related to North Korea's nuclear and missile activities. "Regarding the cargo inspection issue, there are explicit provisions in UN resolution 1874. Like other members of the Security Council, China will implement the resolution earnestly," Qin said. However, he said: "We hope relevant parties can remain calm and exercise restraint, solve relevant issues through dialogue and consultations and refrain from taking any actions that could aggravate the situation." He called on members of the six party talks on the North Korea nuclear issue, which group China, the two Koreas, the United States, Japan and Russia, to "jointly safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia." China is North Korea's main ally and has always favoured cautious diplomacy with Pyongyang, wary of any moves that could push the regime to collapse and potentially send millions of refugees streaming over its border. Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported Tuesday that Kim Jong-Il's son Kim Jong-Un visited Beijing secretly earlier this month to tell the Chinese leadership that he had been anointed as the reclusive state's next leader. South Korea's Yonhap news agency also said Tuesday that North Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-Chun had visited China amid ongoing tensions over the North's nuclear test and its apparent succession plans.
earlier related report The defence minister, a close confidant of leader Kim Jong-Il, was seen arriving at an airport in Beijing last Saturday, the South's Yonhap news agency said. It quoted South Korean diplomats in Beijing as saying Chinese security guards spread a tight security blanket around the VIP room when Kim Yong-Chun arrived. The trip sparked speculation he was delivering a message from Kim Jong-Il to Chinese leaders, or was planning medical treatment, Yonhap said. It said Kim Yong-Chun, 73, is known to have supported the leader's drive to groom his youngest son Jong-Un to take over. China is the North's sole major ally but supported the United Nations Security Council decision to impose tougher sanctions on Pyongyang for its May 25 nuclear test. South Korea's intelligence services have been told that Kim has nominated 26-year-old Jong-Un to succeed him, a South Korean lawmaker briefed by intelligence officials said early this month. A Japanese newspaper reported that Jong-Un himself flew to Beijing around June 10 to tell the leadership he has been chosen as successor. Tuesday's Asahi Shimbun said Jong-Un met President Hu Jintao and other senior Chinese leaders. A senior South Korean diplomatic source told AFP he was sceptical about the Asahi Shimbun report. The elder Kim, now 67, reportedly suffered a stroke last August. Since then his country's policy has grown notably harder-line, with a long-range rocket launch in April and a second nuclear test in May. Analysts say the leader is projecting an image of strength to bolster his authority as he prepares his son for an eventual takeover. In protest at the new UN sanctions, the North Saturday vowed to build more nuclear bombs and to start an enriched uranium programme to make atomic weapons. Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
NKorean 'heir apparent' visits China: reportTokyo (AFP) June 16, 2009 A Japanese newspaper reported Tuesday that Kim Jong-Il's third son visited Beijing this month to tell the Chinese leadership that he had been anointed as the reclusive state's next leader. The Asahi Shimbun said that Kim Jong-Un arrived for the secret visit by air around June 10 and met Chinese President Hu Jintao and other senior Chinese leaders, citing unnamed sources close to North Korean ... read more |
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