North Korean leader meets 1st foreign dignitary

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, sixth from right, poses with a Chinese delegation led by Wang Jiarui, sixth from left, head of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party, in Pyongyang, in this photo released by the North’s Korean Central News Agency, Friday. It was his first time receiving a senior foreign dignitary, officials here said. (Photo : Yonhap)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un received his first senior foreign dignitary since taking power last December, state media said Friday, hosting a Chinese official to cement support from his chief ally.

Kim met the previous day with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Liaison Department of China’s Communist Party, the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The “frank and cordial” talks signaled Kim’s control over foreign affairs following the death of his dictator father, Kim Jong-il.

“During the meeting, Wang conveyed greetings from the collective leadership of China, including General Secretary Hu Jintao,” the North Korean Central News Agency stated, adding that the Chinese official hoped the “Sino-DPRK friendship would bloom more beautifully and yield rich fruits.” Kim expressed his gratitude in response, the report said.

Though he has yet to take a trip abroad as leader, analysts say his first would likely to be to visit the Stalinist state’s main benefactor.

China’s Xinhua quoted Wang as saying that the two sides should enhance “strategic communication and coordination on major global and regional issues, and make unremitting efforts to safeguard peace and stability on the Korea Peninsula and achieve lasting peace in Northeast Asia.” China has been pushing its neighbor to reign in its provocative behavior including refraining from carrying out a third nuclear test following a failed long-range rocket launch in April. Beijing, which values stability on its border, wants regional players to return to the stalled denuclearization talks.

The North moved towards resuming the six-party talks in February by agreeing to suspend its uranium enrichment program at the nuclear facility in Yongbyon and other steps in return for food aid from the United States. But it scuttled the deal with the rocket launch seen as a test of ballistic missile technology.

No mention was made of possible aid to the impoverished country after its media reported that dozens were killed and thousands left homeless by torrential summer rains.

Kim Jong-un has taken swift steps to tighten his grip on power, reshuffling his military and infusing party ranks with younger officials. Analysts say the moves may reflect his intention to experiment with reforms.

Beijing has called for such steps, including during meetings with the late Kim Jong-il.

Though Pyongyang has moved to balance its reliance on China by strengthening ties with Russia and some Southeast Asian nations, Beijing remains by far the North’s main source of trade, aid and diplomatic support.

China has invested in special economic zones in the North and its businesses are active there with a special interest in natural resources. <The Korea Times/Kim Young-jin>

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