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NK LEADER’S VISIT UNCOMFORTABLE FOR CHINA

Na Jeong-ju

The Korea Times, May 3, 2010

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's China visit has been long anticipated since his reclusive state withdrew from the six-nation denuclearization talks in April last year, in response to U.N. sanctions over its missile and nuclear tests.

Then why now? And what will be the topics of discussion at his private summit with Chinese President Hu Jintao, which is expected to take place today or tomorrow in Beijing?

The trip came at a sensitive time while South Korea is working together with the United States, Australia and Sweden to find the exact cause of the sinking of the Navy vessel Cheonan near the western inter-Korean sea border, which claimed the lives of 46 sailors.

As North Korea is the prime suspect in the biggest naval disaster during peacetime on the Korean Peninsula, the summit may focus on deterring South Korea's response to seek international retaliation -militarily or diplomatically - to the much-speculated act of aggression.

Last week, Chinese President Hu, at a summit with President Lee Myung-bak on the sidelines of the World Expo in Shanghai, expressed his deep condolences to South Korea for the death of the sailors.

(...) [artículo aquí]