North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held an unprecedented secret meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping where the two discussed “denuclearization” of the Korean peninsula and improving dialogue with the US.
South Korea and Chinese media have confirmed Kim’s “unofficial” visit on Tuesday night — his first known trek to a foreign country since he succeeded his late father in 2011.
The visit was cloaked in secrecy and kept under wraps by Chinese officials for days.
During the summit, Kim said he is committed to denuclearization of his country, according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency.
“It is our consistent stance to be committed to denuclearization on the peninsula,” in accordance with the will of late founder Kim Il-sung and former leader Kim Jong-il, Kim was quoted as saying.
“The issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realization of peace.”
Kim Jong-il, however, the father of the current North Korean leader, flouted multiple agreement to halt his nuclear weapons programs — instead ramping up nuclear development and eventually testing the bombs underground.
Nevertheless, President Xi expressed a “warm welcome” to Kim, stressing how the two nations should continue to improve ties between Beijing and Pyongyang, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News agency,
The short trip saw a North Korean train enter China on Sunday and lasted until early Wednesday local time.
The talks were held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing where Xi and his wife held a welcoming banquet for Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju. The couples watched an art performance.
Kim’s appearance comes after China joined international sanctions against North Korea for their nuclear program and its increasingly bellicose missile tests.
The leader of the nuclear-armed nation is likely trying to gain leverage as he prepares to meet South Korean president Moon Jae-in in late April and possibly to President Trump by May.
Trump was told by South Korean officials earlier this month that Kim had wanted a historic meeting with a US president.