CINA

본문

The (bourgeois) Korea Times will publish in its tomorrow's printed edition the following "in-depth analysis" about the reasons why Kim Jeong-eun is traveling to

China:                                                                                                                                    

China's leadership training for Jung-un
 

NK heir's trip focuses on smooth power transfer, economic aid

North Korean heir Kim Jong-un’s China trip, which began early Friday morning, has two target audiences, according to analysts.

It sent the unequivocal message to international observers that Kim Jong-un, the youngest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, will be the Stalinist state’s next leader.

For the domestic viewers, it will be regarded as a leadership training program to help the younger Kim gain credentials as a leader.

This interpretation was supported by the report that Jong-un might tour the historic sites located in northern China where Korean independence fighters teamed up with their

Chinese counterparts to fight against Japan, the colonial master during the 1930s.

Baek Seung-joo, chief of the Center for Security and Strategy of the Korean Institute for Defense Analyses in Seoul, said the dynastical succession from father to son in the

North appeared to be on the right track.

“Against this backdrop, Jong-un’s China trip is taking place. This, therefore, could mean that the North wants the world to recognize that the young leader in his late 20s

will lead the nation,” he said.

The expert played down the possibility that the younger Kim’s China trip is focused on gaining economic assistance from China, North Korea’s closest ally.

Baek declined to give a detailed interpretation of China’s motives to accept Jong-un’s visit even though he doesn’t officially represent the North. “China has a consistent

policy regarding the succession issue. It repeated that it won’t intervene in sovereignty-related issues,” he said.

A government official, who asked not to be named, agreed that the main purpose of Jong-un’s China visit is to affirm internationally that he is the man to rule the reclusive

nation.

North Korea watchers speculated that Jong-un may meet Xi Jinping, vice chairman of the Chinese Communist Party Central Military Commission who is reportedly to replace

President Hu Jintao as president next year, during this trip.

If realized, it will be viewed as a meeting between the next leaders of China and North Korea.

Park Young-ho, a senior fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, said the younger Kim’s China trip will be better understood when it is put in the

context of North Korea’s deepening economic dependency on China.

Considering the trade setting, he said China has become more significant to the North than ever before.

“It’s like North Korean version of seeking China’s endorsement for the younger Kim as its next leader,” he said. “I don’t want to describe it like this, but it will be easier

for one to understand accurately the purpose of the younger Kim’s China trip when explaining it like that. North Korea’s interpretation will be different though as it put

heavy emphasis on self-determination.”

Park noted Jong-un’s China trip will also help him establish leadership credentials as the itinerary included historic sites in the northern provinces of China.

“During Japanese colonial rule, Korean independence fighters teamed up with the Chinese to fight against their common enemy, which in the region is Japan,” he said.

The late Kim Il-sung, Jong-un’s grandfather, was one of the independence fighters having joined the anti-Japanese campaign in the 1930s.

“By visiting those sites, the younger Kim will be viewed by grass-root North Koreans as a legitimate successor of the revolution of which his grandfather played a part.”

Park remained skeptical about the possible impact of the younger Kim’s China trip on inter-Korean relations or the resumption of stalled nuclear talks.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/05/116_87352.html

But eventually this piece will be just good-for-nothing... Because the same paper, on its online edition, had to report today in the early evening(KST) the following:

[Urgent]NK leader, but not his son, visiting China: presidential office 

 
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was visiting China Friday, a Seoul government source said, contradicting earlier reports that his heir-apparent son, Jong-un, traveled to the

country.

The trip, if confirmed, will be the leader's third in slightly over one year. He had visited China in early May and late August last year.
It has yet to be confirmed whether the 69-year-old leader was accompanied on the trip by his heir-apparent son, the source said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The name of the junior Kim was not on an official list of about 70-member entourage, said the source.(Yonhap)

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/05/113_87369.html

 
Yep, that we can call perfect serous and investigative journalism!!

Anyways, please enjoy a nice weekend!!!

A