DPRK, PRC Hold “Strategic Dialogue” in Beijing

Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo (R) shakes hands with Kim Yong Il, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Beijing, China, April 22, 2012. Dai met with a WPK delegation led by Kim Yong Il here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Korean Workers’ Party International Secretary Kim Yong Il (Kim Yo’ng-il) traveled to China during the weekend.  On Saturday (21 April) Kim held what DPRK state media called a “strategic dialogue” with senior officials of the Chinese Communist Party led by Wang Jiarui.  Kim also met with State Councilor Dai Bingguo.  These were the first reported meetings between DPRK and Chinese officials since an early April visit to the DPRK by a PLA delegation led by Maj. Gen.  Qian Lihua and the first reported DPRK-PRC interaction since the 12 April launch of the U’nha-3.  The DPRK-PRC interactions occurred after military analysts indicated that a transporter erector launcher [TEL] vehicle used during a DPRK military parade on 15 April was either imported from China, or manufactured using Chinese specs.  KCNA reports:

A strategic dialogue between the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Communist Party of China took place in Beijing on Saturday.

Present there from the WPK side were members of the WPK delegation led by Kim Yong Il, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., the WPK, and Ji Jae Ryong, DPRK ambassador to China, and from the CPC side Wang Jiarui, head of the International Liaison Department of the C.C., the Communist Party of China, and members of the department.

Both sides exchanged views on further developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and two countries and matters of mutual concern.

The dialogue proceeded in a comradely and friendly atmosphere.

Wang Jiarui gave a reception in honor of the WPK delegation in the evening.

Yonhap reports:

Senior officials from North Korea and China held their talks in Beijing and exchanged views about matters of mutual concern, Pyongyang’s state media reported Sunday, in the first high-level meeting since the North’s botched rocket launch.

The “strategic dialogue” between Kim Yong-il, the secretary for international affairs at the North Korean Workers’ Party, and Wang Jiarui, the head of the Chinese Communist Party’s international department, took place on Saturday, the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

“Both sides exchanged views on further developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and two countries, and matters of mutual concern,” the KCNA said in the report.

North Korea defied international warnings and launched a long-range rocket on April 13, but the launch flopped as the rocket crashed after flying for a couple of minutes.

Pyongyang claimed the launch was designed to put a satellite into orbit, but Seoul, Washington and others blasted it as a cover for testing improved ballistic missile technology.

Last week, China joined a statement by the United Nations Security Council that “strongly condemned” the North’s launch and warned it will impose new sanctions if Pyongyang carries out another launch of a long-range rocket or a nuclear test.

Kim Yong Il also met with Dai Bingguo.  Xinhua English reports:

Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met with a Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) delegation from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Beijing on Sunday .

The delegation was headed by Kim Yong Il, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the central committee of the WPK.

Dai applauded the traditional friendship between the DPRK and the Chinese sides, saying that China is willing to work together with the DPRK to lead the friendship and cooperation between the two nations to new heights.

Dai said that he was sure the DPRK party, government and people will continue to make new achievements in their aim of building a prosperous country.

During their meeting, Kim Yong Il agreed with Dai’s appraisal on the DPRK-China relationship. He said the DPRK attaches great importance to the friendship and cooperation with China. He added that the DPRK will follow the instructions by late general secretary Kim Jong Il and first secretary Kim Jong Un of the WPK to make all-out efforts to advance the traditional DPRK-China friendship in a sustainable way.

PLA Foreign Affairs Delegation Visits DPRK

National Defense Commission Vice Chairman and Minister of the People's Armed Forces, VMar Kim Yong Chun (front row, C) poses for a commemorative photograph with Maj. Gen. Qian Lihua (front row, 4th L) and PRC Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Hongcai (4th R) on 6 April 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

A delegation of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army [PLA] foreign affairs department, led by Maj. Gen. Qian Lihua visited the DPRK.  Maj. Gen. Qian was reported as having previously visited the DPRK in October 2010, along with Central Military Commission Vice Chairman, Guo Boxiong, on the 60th anniversary of China’s participation in the Fatherland Liberation (Korean) War.  He also led a delegation of PLA foreign affairs officials in  September 2009.  After arriving in the country, Maj. Gen. Qian and his delegation brought a floral basket to the equestrian statue of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansudae Art Studio, visited KIS’ birthplace in Mangyo’ngdae and the Friendship Tower on 5 April (Thursday).

A delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army foreign affairs service poses at Kim Il Sung's birthplace at Mangyo'ngdae on 5 April 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports:

The delegation of the diplomatic officials of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army led by Major General Qian Lihua, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Ministry of National Defense, visited Mangyongdae on Thursday.

The delegation members at the old home of President Kim Il Sung viewed the relics preserved carefully, being briefed on the revolutionary history of President Kim Il Sung and his family.

The delegation head made an entry in the visitor’s book.

They on the same day laid bouquets of flowers at the bust of anti-Japanese woman hero Kim Jong Suk at the revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong before paying a silent tribute to her and looking around the cemetery.

They also visited the Friendship Tower.

Maj. Gen. Qian Lihua signs a guestbook after touring Kim Il Sung's birthplace and childhood home at Mangyo'ngdae in west Pyongyang on 5 April 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Members of a delegation of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (PLA) foreign affairs department pay their respects to memorial equestrian statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansudae Art Studio in central Pyongyang on 5 April 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

On Friday (6 April), Maj. Gen. Qian met with National Defense Commission [NDC] Vice Chairman and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Kim Yong Chun.  During the meeting the PLA delegation presented a gift to Kim Jong Un, received by VMar Kim.  KCNA reports:

Vice-Marshal of the Korean People’s Army Kim Yong Chun, minister of the People’s Armed Forces, Friday had a friendly talk with the visiting delegation of diplomatic officials of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army led by Major General Qian Lihua, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Ministry of National Defense.

Where Are You Tonight?

The DPRK-PRC border (yellow line) from Pyo'ktong County (Photo: Google image)

The county center of Pyo'ktong County, North P'yo'ngan Province (40 35' 23" N 125 19' 43"E) (Photo: Google image)

As 2011 draws to a close, several media reports have come out about DPRK citizens who are unaccounted for or difficult to locate.  On or around 20 November, eight (8) members of the Border Security Command’s 10th Brigade fled the DPRK for China.  During a routine shift change, two guard teams fled from Pyo’ktong County, North P’yo’ngan Province into the Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County, Liaoning Province.  Two of the guards were shot by other BSC guards during the escape.  Daily NK reports:

According to the source, the group of armed soldiers made their escape at around midnight. They were reportedly from the Byeokdong County in North Pyongan Province, which faces Kuandian County along the banks of the Yalu River.
It is still unclear whether the escapees clashed with Chinese soldiers during their escape. However, the rumor is that they paid off local soldiers to turn a blind eye, although there is also talk of some modest clashes.

The North Korean soldiers are believed to have belonged to a border guard brigade responsible for things like preventing defections and smuggling. The source says that the soldiers conspired to escape together in two teams during a guard change.

Usually during a night shift, one two-man team stands fifty meters apart on guard while another team of three or four patrols the area. There are no changeovers for those standing guard, but the patrol team switches once every two hours, meaning that the group defection probably took place while the patrol team was changing over.

According to the source, armed People’s Liberation Army personnel were dispatched to key locations around Kuandian County as soon as Chinese officials became aware of the incident, fearing the possibility of a shootout with the North Korean soldiers trying to escape. In particular, dozens of soldiers were placed at railway stations and other transit points to try and stop the escapees from trying to avoid detection and make their way further inland.

Armed Chinese soldiers could also be seen patrolling Dandong railway station and other areas as late as December 11th. This served to further increase tension in the area because of the ensuing ID checks, leading to incidences of people being unable to verify their identities being taken in. Chinese commuters were further inconvenienced by ticket inspections at two or three times their usual level.

For their part, the North Korean authorities are understood to have sent several dozen NSA agents directly to Dandong to work on apprehending the fugitives. Numbers of NSA agents have been particularly high in areas of large numbers of Koreans since the event. The authorities are trying to find the escapees on foot, searching Sanma Road (the ‘Korea-Town of Dandong’) as well as the Xinliu shopping district and development areas.

Immediately after the incident the jamming of electronic signals between China and Sinuiju appeared also to have been stepped up, with areas usually receiving adequate telephone reception constantly dropping out.

Ri Chun Hui finishes her report on Kim Jong Il's written interview with ITAR-TASS during the 19 October 2011 KCTV news broadcast (Photo: KCNA) news broadcast

Meanwhile, Japan’s Radiopress noticed that Ri Chun Hui (Ri Chun-hu’i) has not appeared on Korea Central TV’s news broadcasts in nearly two months.  Ri was last seen reading DPRK media’s account of Kim Jong Il’s interview with ITAR-TASS on 19 October.  Perhaps, she has remained behind the camera in the intervening weeks to allow more youthful broadcasters the chance to “gloriously inherit and develop the revolutionary tradition.”  Korea Real Time reports:

She speaks in an inimitable style that mixes a kind of breathy quality with whatever the news calls for – exuberance when talking about the dictator’s greatness and stentorian power when talking those awful governments in the U.S. or South Korea.

To an outsider, it’s a style that’s hard to take seriously, but it has earned Ms. Ri fans among the North Korean followers.

In recent days, news organizations in Japan that regularly monitor the North’s TV broadcasts say that Ms. Ri hasn’t been on the air since Oct. 19, when she read a statement her big boss Mr. Kim gave to Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency.

That’s a long stretch away from the nightly news in Pyongyang. And Mr. Kim has been busy during that time with his normal activities of attending concerts, visiting factories and giving the wave at military drills.

And in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovenia, Toru Tamakawa of Asahi Shimbun visits the local branch of the United World College.  Outside the students’ residence hall, Tamakawa may have encountered Kim Han Sol, the son of Kim Jong Nam and grandson of Kim Jong Il.  Asahi Japan Watch reports:

But when it comes to Kim Han Sol, everyone said, “We have been told not to say anything (about him).”

Then I felt I was being watched.

A short man with Asian features was watching me from behind a bus stop 20 meters away.

The man, with a crew cut and wearing a dark-brown jacket, was talking on a cellphone while watching me.

He was strange, so I decided to take a break somewhere and lose the man.

I stopped into a cafe and had coffee. After 15 minutes, the man had gone.

Whew.

I started walking again toward the dormitory.

Then somebody called to me from behind, “Are you a journalist?”

I turned and saw the man I had seen a while ago.

He fired more questions before I had answered his initial question.

“I am a journalist coming from South Korea. Are you coming from Japan? Which press? TV?”

He was smiling, but his eyes were not.

He was not carrying a camera, a notebook or a bag.

It was my turn to ask the questions.

“Which news agency do you belong to? Newspaper? Television?”

Without answering, the man suddenly ran toward the student dormitory.

Thereafter, I saw him many times around the school and the dormitory.

(Is he a security guard the North Korean authorities sent?)

(Or is he Kim Han Sol’s guardian?)

One thing was crystal clear–he was keeping an eye on the media.

The school dormitory was about a 30 minutes’ walk from the school.

The building has six stories and its exterior is painted a crisp blue and white.

I tried to talk with the dorm manager, but was told sharply, “No media are admitted.”

I waited outside the compound until it was almost night, but Kim Han Sol did not show up.

I decided to return the next morning.

It was still dark at 7 a.m. A young Asian-looking man wearing a blue jumper came out of the dormitory.

He was wearing black-framed glasses and had an earring in his left ear.

It was him, the youth whose picture had been posted on the Facebook social networking site.

His hair was black, unlike yellow as the Facebook photo showed.

“Hello, Mr. Han Sol,” I said to him in English.

No response at all.

He did not react when I pointed my camera at him, but simply kept walking without expression.

He seemed to be used to the media.

The youth believed to be Kim Han Sol did not utter a word all the way to school.

He was so confident and so aloof that it felt almost refreshing to be in his presence.

It was an odd feeling.

DPRK, PRC to “Strengthen” Military Cooperation

Kim Jong Il poses for a commemorative photograph with a senior Chinese PLA delegation on 17 November 2011 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Il held a meeting and hosted a reception for Li Jinai, director of the Chinese PLA’s General Political Department, and a senior delegation of PLA officers on 17 November at which the two sides “said they would strengthen military exchanges and cooperation.”  Xinhua reported:

China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have said they would strengthen military exchanges and cooperation.

The two sides vowed to do so during an official goodwill visit from Nov. 15 to 18 to the DPRK by a senior Chinese military delegation led by Director of the General Political Department of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Li Jinai.

During a meeting with Li, top DPRK leader Kim Jong Il said the military relationship is an important part of the ties between the two countries. He said he hoped the two militaries would continue to improve their ties so as to help consolidate and develop the China-DPRK friendship.

Li said the Chinese military, in accordance with the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, is willing to work with the DPRK in the new historic era to enhance understanding and mutual trust and strengthen practical exchanges. This would promote the all-round development of China-DPRK relations, which are neighborly and friendly, he said.

Li also met with some senior DPRK military officers. During the meetings, Li expounded China’s views on the current international and regional situations.

The Chinese official reiterated the Chinese government’s principles and stand on issues related to the Korean Peninsula, and expressed China’s willingness to make joint efforts with the DPRK to maintain regional peace and stability.

Kim Jong Il toasts with Li Jinai, member of the PRC's Central Military Commission and director of the PLA's General Political Department, during a dinner reception (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reported:

The traditional Sino-DPRK friendship forged and cultivated by the leaders of the elder generation of the two countries have entered a new stage of development under the deep care of Hu Jintao and Kim Jong Il, he said.

In recent years there was a brisk exchange of high-ranking delegations between the two countries and important agreements were reached on developing the friendly and cooperative relations and bilateral exchange and cooperation in various fields including politics, economy and military affairs have registered steady and abundant achievements, he noted.

It is the steadfast policy of the party, government and army of China to put into practice the common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries and boost the friendly and cooperative relations between the peoples of the two countries, between the armies, in particular, he added.

Kim Jong Il warmly welcomed the visit of the high-ranking military delegation of the CPLA to the DPRK and asked Li Jinai to pass his warm regards to the members of the collective leadership of the CPC including Hu Jintao and the fraternal army and people of China.

The armies of the two countries have played a positive role in developing the DPRK-China friendly relati ons in the past, he expressed the belief that there would be no change in the sense of revolutionary obligation and class principle between the armies and peoples of the two countries no matter how the situation may change in the future.

Li Jinai presented Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un with the gifts prepared by him with his best wishes.

Li Jinai viewing a guestbook at a visit to the Liberation Tower during his visit to the DPRK. Also in attendance is KPA General Pak Jae Gyong (2nd R) (Photo: KCNA)

The meeting was Kim Jong Il’s third reported interaction with a Chinese official in less than a month, following his meeting with the PRC Vice Premier on 24 October and a reception for the PRC Ambassador to the DPRK on 31 October.  Li arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday (15 November).  During his stay Li visited several sights including the Kumsusan Memorial Hall and the Liberation Tower.  He also met with senior KPA officials including Gen. Kim Jong Gak, senior deputy (vice) director of the KPA General Political Department, and Gen. Pak Jae Gyong.  Li’s four-day visit to the DPRK occurred while PRC leadership litigated their posture in the South China Sea with other Asian leaders.  It also followed a visit to China by the Korean People’s Interior Forces from 8 to 12 November.  KPIF commander Col. Gen. Ri Tae Chol met Li on 11 November and the Chinese official previewed the message that would underscore his subsequent visit to the DPRK.  KCNA reported:

Li Jinai, director of the General Political Department of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Friday underscored the need for China and the DPRK to boost bilateral exchange and cooperation and thus contribute to development of ties between the two countries and armies.

He said this at a friendly talk with the delegation of the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces led by Col. Gen. Ri Thae Chol in Beijing.

Li at the talk noted that the traditional China-DPRK friendly relations have steadily developed under the deep care of the top leaders of the two countries.

Commander of the Korean People's Interior (Internal Security) Forces, Col. Gen. Ri Thae Chol (L) during a meeting with Li Jinai on 11 November in Beijing

The PLA’s press also reported on Li and Ri’s meeting:

Li Jinai said that the traditional friendly bilateral relations between China and the DPRK have enjoyed constant consolidation and development for years through joint efforts of both countries under the great concerns of the leaders of the two countries. In the new historical period, the Chinese side is willing to work together with the DPRK side to further strengthen communication and coordination, and deepen exchanges and cooperation, so as to make due contributions to further developing the relations between the two countries and the two militaries, and maintaining regional and world peace, stability and prosperity.

Li Jinai spoke highly of the exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese People’s Armed Police Force (APF) and the Interior Force of the DPRK.

Ri Tae Chol said that the two militaries of the DPRK and China have been helping and supporting each other for a long time, and have established and developed friendly relationship between the two countries. The Interior Force of the DPRK hopes to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese APF, so as to make positive efforts to develop comprehensive relations between the two countries.

While Li and the PLA delegation were in Pyongyang, Chinese Vice President (and next President) Xi Jinping met a 100-member delegation of the Kim Il Sung Youth League, who arrived in Beijing earlier in the day on 17 November.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R, Front) meets with a youth delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) led by DPRK's top youth official Ri Yong Chol in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 17, 2011. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (C, 1st row) poses for group photo during a meeting with a youth delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) led by DPRK's top youth official Ri Yong Chol in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 17, 2011. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

KWP’s 66th Birthday

The Korean Workers’ Party turned 66 on 10 October (Monday).  A delegation of senior party, army and government leaders visited the Kumsusan Memorial Hall, to pay their respects to Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-song).  Concerts and dance parties were held in Pyongyang and the provinces.  DPRK elites and citizens visited KIS statues to offer floral tributes.  Due to ongoing construction in the Mansudae area in Pyongyang, floral tributes to the KIS Statue have been moved to the campus of KIS University.

KIS University President and Minister of Higher Education, Song Ja Rip (R) places a floral bouquet at the foot of the KIS statue on the university's campus on the 66th anniversary of the Korean Workers' Party (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports that Pyongyang had “a festive mood”:

Streets are decorated with WPK and national flags, red banners and placards reading “Celebration of October 10″ and “Great Party, Motherly Party.”

Many people visit statues of President Kim Il Sung on Ryongnam Hill and in other places of the city with floral baskets and bunches in their hands.

The Party Founding Museum and the Party Founding Memorial Tower are crowded with people.

Through the visit they learn more about the feats the President performed in founding the WPK and developing it into a popular party based on the working masses.

The Mansudae Art Troupe, National Symphony Orchestra and other art troupes are busy with preparations for celebration performances.

Mass media have introduced feats of the three commanders of Mt. Paektu — President Kim Il Sung, leader Kim Jong Il and anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk — in party building and party activities, as well as achievements made by the Korean people in socialist construction.

Pyongyangites participate in a dancing party on the plaza in front of Pyongyang Indoor Statdium (Photo: KCNA)

The Lao Embassy in the DPRK hosted a reception on 8 October (Saturday) to commemorate the KWP’s anniversary, as well as the recent visit to the DPRK by Lao President Choummaly Sayasone.  CC KWP Secretary and Director of International Affairs, Kim Yong Il (Kim Yo’ng-il) attended the event on behalf of the central leadership.

Chaleune Warinthrasak said in his speech at the reception that the friendly relations between Laos and the DPRK provided by Kaysone Phomvihane and President Kim Il Sung have a long history.

The current meeting between Choummaly Sayasone and leader Kim Jong Il was a great event in boosting the bilateral relations, he noted.

The Lao party, government and people will make positive efforts to boost the relations between the two countries.

Kim Yong Il noted in his speech that the meeting between Kim Jong Il and President Choummaly Sayasone served as a historic event which demonstrated the vitality of the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Laos.

He referred to the positive struggle waged by the Lao people to defend the socialist gains, consolidate the people’s democratic system and strengthen the state power as a whole.

Kim Jong Il received an anniversary message from embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad:

The message said: Allow me to extend heartfelt congratulations, on behalf of the leadership of the Baath Arab Socialist Party, the Syrian Arab people and myself, to you, the leadership of the WPK and the fraternal Korean people on the 66th birthday of the WPK. And please accept my best wishes for successes of you and members of the leadership of your party in their work as well as for the Korean people’s progress and prosperity.

I, availing myself of this good opportunity, would like to express belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between Syria and the DPRK will continue to grow stronger in the interests of the peoples of the two friendly countries.

Kim Jong Il has yet to take the time celebrate the party’s 66th anniversary.  Having returned from a brief excursion to South Hamgyo’ng, he has conducted several on-the-spot-guidance tours north of and east of Pyongyang.  After visiting a synthetic leather factory in P’yo’ngso’ng, a daily necessities factory in Raknang, Pyongyang, and the Central Tree Nursery  north of the capital city, KJI inspected a “newly built” factory that produces solar equipment.  During last year’s party anniversary, KJI ferried his successor and son, Kim Jong Un, through several events, including a KPA parade in KIS Square.  Last year’s anniversary included a visit by PRC senior official Zhou Yongkang.  Despite a lack of senior Chinese officials visiting the DPRK for this year’s party anniversary, PRC support for the country remains strong.  Tokyo Shimbun reports that the two countries will hold joint search-and-rescue (SAR) exercises in the West Sea (Yellow Sea) some time next year.

A 10 October 2011 KCTV image of Kim Jong Il visiting a solar equipment factory near Pyongyang. Also seen in attendance is NDC Member and director of the party's 2nd Machine-Building Industry Department, Ju Kyu Chang (R) (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

KJI Returns Home

Kim Jong Il returned from his week-long sojourn to Russia and northeast China on 27 August (Saturday).  Kim Kyong Hui (Kim Kyo’ng-hu’i) and Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) led a group of the central leadership which greeted him at the train station.  On his return to the DPRK, KJI visited Tonghua City, before his train crossed the DPRK-China border around 17:00 on Saturday.  Unlike his return from China in May, KJI and his welcome-back party did not visit Hu’ich’o'n Power Station or any other infrastructure projects.  Instead, he attended a banquet jointly given by the National Defense Commission and the Party Central Military Commission.  He also attended a concert of the State Merited Choir.   Yonhap reports:

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il attended a banquet held to congratulate him on his “successful” recent visits to Russia and China, the North’s state media said Monday.

The banquet was hosted by the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party and the National Defense Commission, according to a brief dispatch by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), monitored in Seoul. It did not mention where or when the event took place.

Kim returned home on Saturday after an eight-day trip aboard his special armored train across Russia’s Far East and northeastern China. The trip included summit talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev near the Siberian city of Ulan-Ude on Wednesday and tours of various industrial sites in both countries.

A view of Kim Jong Il's rail route through Russia to northeast China during 20-27 August 2011 (Photo: Google image)

Among those who attended KJI’s post-return events was CMC Member and commander of the KPA Air Force (Korean People’s Air Force), Gen. Ri Pyong Chol (Ri P’yo’ng-ch’o'l).  Gen. Ri was spotted in attendance at one of KJI’s interactions with Dmitry Medvedev, as part of DPRK efforts to acquire military aircraft from Russia, although Ri was not reported by DPRK media to have accompanied KJI on the trip. Chosun Ilbo reports:

“Photos taken by foreign news agencies during the North Korea-Russia summit show Gen. Ri Pyong-chol, the commander of the North Korean Air Force, standing in formal suits [not in military uniform] between Kim and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev,” a South Korean security official said Sunday.

It is rare that an Air Force chief accompanies Kim on an overseas trip. “This is decisive proof that one of the goals of Kim Jong-il’s visit was to buy new fighter jets from Russia,” a source familiar with North Korean affairs said.

A list of Kim’s official entourage released last Sunday by the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency included Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Kim Yong-chun, Ju Kyu-chang, the first vice-director of the Ministry of Defense Industry, and Pak To-chun, Workers Party secretary for munitions, but not Ri.

A South Korean government official said, “As a four-star Air Force general, Ri would deserve a place on the list, but it seems his name was omitted deliberately.”

Neither Pyongyang nor Moscow made it clear whether the two leaders discussed supply of munitions to the North.

Kim Jong Il meets with Russian pilots at the Chkalov Aeronautic Complex in Novosibirsk in August 2001 (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Il Visits NE China on Homeward Trip

Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo (R) shakes hands with top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Il in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 26, 2011. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) arrived in northeastern China on 25 August (Thursday) and visited Heilongjiang Province on 26 August (Friday), during his return trip from Russia.  On Thursday KJI visited Hulun Buir (Hailar) in autonomous Inner Mongolia.    He was greeted at the railway station by Wang Jiarui and various local officials.  He took in the city’s skyline, then attended a banquet and art performance, according to KCNA:

Commanding a bird’s-eye view of the night scenery, he got familiar with the history and culture of the region and the achievements made by its people in construction.

The Inner Mongolian Autonomous Regional Committee of the CPC gave a grand banquet at the Tianjiao State Guest House in honor of Kim Jong Il visiting the region.

He was present on invitation.

Speeches were made.

Hu Chunhua said that today we welcomed Kim Jong Il to this vast steppe where President Kim Il Sung was accorded warm welcome several times long ago, thereby seeing the desire of the party, the government and the people of the autonomous region come true at last.

Hu Chunhua noted that the traditional Sino-DPRK friendship will remain ever-green like the vast steppe along with history, expressing firm belief that the friendly Korean people would make fresh success in the efforts to improve the standard of people’s living and build a prosperous and powerful nation.

A specially prepared art performance was given in honor of Kim Jong Il.

Artistes of the autonomous region including Hulun Buir National Song and Dance Troupe put on the stage such colorful numbers strong in national flavor as national song and dance “Song of Wedding”, national instrumental solo “Vast Steppe”, dance “Dance of Bowl”, chorus “Calling You” and Korean song “Arirang”.

The performers clearly reflected the boundless respect and reverence of the government and the people of the region for Kim Jong Il visiting China again for the development of the Sino-DPRK friendship.

Kim Jong Il conveyed a floral basket to the performers in congratulation of their successful performance and had a photo taken with them.

He was presented with a gift by Hu Chunhua on behalf of the party committee of the autonomous region.

He expressed thanks for the warm reception and cordial hospitality accorded him by the party, government and people of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region. He hoped the people of the region would achieve a fresh victory in their struggle for the prosperity and development of the country under the leadership of the CPC.

Kim Jong Il departed for the next destination that day amid the warm send-off from the leading officials of the region.

Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo (R) shakes hands with top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Il in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 26, 2011. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

A North Korean special train carrying Kim Jong-il arrives at China's Manzhouli Station, near the Russian border, on Aug. 25. (Yonhap)

Upon entry into China, KJI’s travel party changed with the addition of two officials: DPRK Ambassador to the PRC Ji Jae Ryong (Chi Chae Ryo’ng) and Ri Ki Pom, diplomatic counsel in Shenyang.  KJI then moved along into Heilongjiang Province where he visited Qiqihar and Daqing.  In Qiqihar he visited a machine tool factory and dairy farm, and in Daqing he visited an apartment building construction site.  He also met with Dai Bingguo.  Xinhua reports on his visit to Heilongjiang Province:

In a meeting with Kim, Dai, entrusted by Hu Jintao, Chinese president and general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), conveyed sincere greetings from Hu to Kim and welcomed Kim on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and people.

Kim, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission, thanked China’s warm hospitality and conveyed his sincere greetings to Hu.

Kim made an unofficial visit to China in May. Dai said that after an interval of three months, Kim visited China again. It fully demonstrated the high attention attached by Kim, the WPK, the DPRK government and people to the consolidation and growth of China-DPRK ties.

During his previous visit, Hu and Kim had an in-depth exchange of views of bilateral ties and issues of mutual interests. “Along with DPRK comrades, we are willing to earnestly implement important consensus reached by the top leaders of our two countries and promote the continuous growth of our ties,” Dai said.

Kim said China and DPRK are close neighbors and should have frequent contacts. “Every time I visited China, I can feel the friendly affections from the Chinese people to the Korean people,” he said.

He spoke highly of the development momentum of current China-DPRK ties. Bilateral exchanges and cooperation should be enhanced between different departments and localities of the two countries in various areas, he said.

During his stay in Heilongjiang, Kim visited the cities of Qiqihar and Daqing. In Qiqihar, Kim toured Qier Machine Tool Group Co., a large state-owned enterprise, and Mengniu Dairy, a leading Chinese dairy producer. In Daqing, he toured an urban planning exhibition hall and a residential district.

“I’ve seen new changes every time I came here,” he said. He wished that China would smoothly realize the goals set in its 12th Five-year Plan under the leadership of the CPC.

Kim came on Thursday to China’s Manzhouli, a border city in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, after his Russian tour.

Qiqihar and Daqing, two cities in northeastern China Kim Jong Il visited on 26 August 2011 on his return trip to the DPRK (Photo: Google image)

Whilst meeting with Dai, KJI repeated his “no preconditions” declaration on the DPRK’s return to the Six Party Talks.  His meeting with Dai occurred one day after ROK representative to the Six Party Talks, Wi Sung-lac, visited Beijing for one day where he met with Wu Dawei.

Kim, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission, made the remarks while meeting with Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo during his visit to northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province.

The DPRK adheres to the goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and is ready to fully implement the Sept. 19 joint statement along with all sides for maintaining and promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, he said.

Launched in 2003, the six-party talks on the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula involved China, the DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Russia.

The 9.19 Joint Statement was signed on Sept. 19, 2005, in which the DPRK promised to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs.

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie (C front) and Chinese officers pose for a group photo with a Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s delegation headed by Jon Chang Bok (5th L front), chief of the General Logistics Bureau of the DPRK's Armed Forces Department, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 26, 2011. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Kim Jong Il is not the only DPRK official who traveled to China this week. Col. Gen.  Jon Chang Bok (Cho’n Chang-pok), chief of the KPA General Logistics Department met with Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie on 26 August.   Xinhua reports:

Liang said China and the DPRK enjoy a traditional friendship due to shared treasures inherited from the two countries’ former leaders. The two countries and the two militaries have continued to strengthen a friendly partnership over the years, promoting the development of both countries and militaries and safeguarding common interests.

“Under new historical phases, China is willing to enhance its communication and coordination with the DPRK to further promote military ties between the two sides, and make joint contributions in safeguarding regional stability as well as world peace, stability and prosperity. ” Liang said.

Jon Chang Bok said the mutual support and assistance between the two militaries has broadened the content of DPRK-China friendship. He said the DPRK will always work with China to promote ties between the two countries and the two militaries during turbulent international situations.

He also hopes to learn about military logistics construction from China.

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie (R) meets with Jon Chang Bok, chief of the General Logistics Bureau of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Armed Forces Department, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 26, 2011. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Jon Chang Bok’s visit to Beijing occurred as a report emerged in ROK media that the DPRK purchased several thousand trucks and jeeps.  Chosun Ilbo reports:

There were eight video clips of varying lengths ranging from two minutes to 16 minutes. The footage shows Chinese-produced military vehicles standing in the 10,000 sq.m parking lot of the Dandong customs office waiting to be cleared along with other civilian cars, and two-story trailers loaded with military vehicles waiting on the side road to enter the customs office. A local source in Dandong said, “Normally, all Chinese-made vehicles going into North Korea were civilian, but in July, a massive number of military cars went to North Korea.”

A senior source in North Korea said that these cars were gifts to military officers by North Korea’s heir apparent Kim Jong-un in celebration of “Victory Day,” or the day the armistice in the Korean War was signed on July 27. “North Korean military vehicles produced in the 1970s and the 80s are too old to carry out drills, and many soldiers were dissatisfied. In order to buy the loyalty of the military and show what he can do, Kim Jong-un replaced the old vehicles thanks to the assistance of China,” the source added.

Jeeps were given to officers to be used to conduct operations, and the trucks were given to soldiers.

Analysis of the footage suggests the trucks were 6-ton trucks made by FAW Car Limited Company. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visited the headquarters of this firm in Changchun, Jilin, during his visit to China in May. The military jeeps were manufactured by Beijing Automobile Works with engine capacity of 2,200 cc and 100 horsepower. BAW, which specializes in SUVs, trucks and military vehicles, is a subsidiary of Beijing Automotive Group, a partner of Hyundai Motor.

Dump trucks, large buses, sedans, oil trucks, agricultural machines and heavy machinery were also spotted in the video going into North Korea. In the windscreen, the name of the recipients is written. One is Korea Taesong Trading Company, a trading company under the Workers Party that manages Kim Jong-il’s slush funds. It was blacklisted by the U.S. as part of its economic sanctions against the North.

Meanwhile, the DPRK is moving quickly to formalize military and economic agreements resulting from KJI’s meeting with Dmitry Medvedev. On 25 August chief of the KPA General Staff met with Konstantin Sidenko, commander of Russia’s Eastern Military District.  KCNA reports:

Ri Yong Ho, chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army, Thursday met and had a talk with the delegation of the Eastern Military District of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation led by Commander of the District Konstantin Sidenko.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (R) shakes hands with Russian Minister of Regional Development Viktor Basargin (L) after a meeting Friday, 26 August in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

On 26 August, DPRK Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam (Ri Ryo’ng-nam) signed an agreement on economic cooperation and technical exchanges:

A protocol of the 5th Meeting of the DPRK-Russia Intergovernmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology was signed at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Friday.

Present there were Ri Ryong Nam, minister of Foreign Trade and chairman of the DPRK side to the Committee, and officials concerned and the members of the Russian governmental economic delegation led by Minister of Regional Development Viktor Basargin, chairman of the Russian side to the Committee, and Arkady Lavrov, charge d’affaires a.i. of the Russian embassy here.

Ri Ryong Nam and Viktor Basargin inked the protocol.

DPRK Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam shakes hands with Russian Ministerr of Regional Development Viktor Basargin on 26 August 2011 at Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

KJI’s Yachting Holiday

One of Kim Jong Il's yachts at Lake T'aesong, between Pyongyang and Namp'o (Photo: Google Earth)

Kim Jong Il’s (Kim Cho’ng-il’s) last public appearance was a guidance tour of the 8 February Vinalon Complex which was reported by DPRK media on, or around, 8 August.  The country has undertaken reconstruction and recovery work from typhoons and floods, which have killed over 30 and caused extensive damage to homes, agriculture and infrastructure.  KCBS reported on 11 August that “a struggle to heal from the aftermaths of the consecutive natural disasters is actively being waged nationwide.”  To that effect, according to Asahi Shimbun, DPRK traders in China were ordered around 10 August to purchase 5,000 tons of grain a piece or “what appears to be over 100,000 tons.”  Meanwhile, overseas agents of the Ministry of State Security are being recalled to Pyongyang because many of them are under investigation for hiding money and other assets in their assigned countries.

One of Kim Jong Il's residences on the coast in South Hamgyo'ng Province (Photo: Google Earth)

This deluge of activity might demand the attention of the micromanaging party center, who is allegedly reading his briefings and ‘phoning instructions from his yacht somewhere off the country’s east coast.  Yonhap, via Korea Herald, reports:

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has been enjoying sailing on his yacht along the east coast in recent weeks, a person familiar with the issue said Thursday, as his country is struggling to recover from devastating floods.

Kim has been sailing in waters off a coastal villa, where he has been staying since August for a summer holiday, as he did in previous years, the person said on condition of anonymity. He was not authorized to speak to the media on intelligence matters on the record. He did not elaborate on the type of boat and who accompanied the leader during the cruise.

The development underscored that Kim’s lavish lifestyle has not changed despite international sanctions banning the sale of yachts and other luxury goods to North Korea to try to squeeze Kim and his ruling elites.

Despite years of economic difficulty and food shortages, Kim has engaged in the gift politics of showering his top aides and other elites with luxury goods to win their loyalty.

Kim’s summer holiday comes as the North is working to recover from the floods in the recent past that left dozens of people dead, injured or missing, while destroying thousands of homes and submerging or washing away tens of thousands of hectares of farmland.

There was no report in the North’s state media on whether he traveled to the flood-stricken areas.

KJI does not necessarily restrict his yachting activities to the summer months.  When he visited an Office #39-managed seafood plant in Ku’mya County, South Hamgyo’ng, during February 2010, he traveled by boat.  In 2009, Italian authorities seized two Azimut yachts purchased for KJI by European and Asian front companies.

A view of the premises of a KJI residence in South Hamgyo'ng Province (Photo: Google Earth)

One of KJI’s South Hamgyo’ng residences is down the coast from a KPA Navy (Korean People’s Navy) station, under its East Sea Command.  When the Chinese PLA Navy visited Wo’nsan during 4-8 August, the KPA Navy Song and Dance Ensemble participated in a performance with their PRC counterparts.  A Chinese military blogger has published over a dozen photographs of the ensemble; some are candid shots of the women prior to going on stage, and others are of the performance.

Members of the KPA Navy Song and Dance Ensemble, prior to their 6 August performance, part of a program of events during the PLA Navy's goodwill visit to the DPRK during 4-8 August (Photo: Sina.com)

A part of the performance given by the KPA Navy Song and Dance Ensemble on 6 August, during a goodwill visit from 4 to 8 August of the PLA Navy (Photo: Sina.com)

A performer of the KPA Navy Song and Dance Ensemble. Highlighted in the image is her digital camera (Photo: Sina.com)

Chinese Ships Depart the DPRK

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy band gives a performance at an outdoor theater in North Korea's eastern port city of Wonsan, Kangwon Province, on Aug. 7. (KCNA-Yonhap)

The PLA Navy ships Zheng He and Luoyang left the port of Wo’nsan on 8 August (Monday) after a four-day visit to the DPRK.  Over the weekend the PLA Navy band and the KPA Navy ensemble gave performances.  However, these were not the Chinese ships the DPRK was looking for.  Kyodo reports that in April the DPRK proposed some joint DPRK-PRC exercise in response to US-ROK joint military exercises.  According to this account, Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) proposed that KPA officers be allowed to board Chinese submarines, however the Chinese rejected the proposal because it would interpreted as provocative to the US and ROK.

The crew of Luoyang, a training ship of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, visit an agricultural university in North Korea's eastern port city of Wonsan, Kangwon Province, on Aug. 7. The boat, along with another training ship, the Zheng He, entered the port on Aug. 4. (KCNA-Yonhap)