North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, with President Xi Jinping of China in Beijing. Credit Ju Peng/Xinhua
New York Times: Kim Jong-un Met With Xi Jinping in Secret Beijing Visit
BEIJING — North Korea’s enigmatic young leader, Kim Jong-un, made an unannounced visit to Beijing, meeting with President Xi Jinping weeks before planned summit meetings with American and South Korean leaders, Chinese and North Korean state news media reported on Wednesday.
The visit amounted to Mr. Kim’s international debut: It was the 34-year-old leader’s first trip outside North Korea since he took power in 2011, and his first meeting with another head of state. The surprise discussions added another layer of complexity to the rush of global diplomacy around North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
Mr. Kim’s trip unfolded in extraordinary secrecy and security; it was confirmed only after he left Beijing on the same armored train that stirred speculation when it arrived mysteriously in the Chinese capital on Monday. (Both Mr. Kim’s father and grandfather, the North’s former leaders, used similar trains for foreign trips.)
Mr. Kim made the trip to China at the invitation of Mr. Xi, North Korea’s state-run Korean Central Television reported soon after the announcement in China. Mr. Kim was accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol-ju, as well as by his senior advisers, it said.
Mr. Kim told the Chinese leader that he was open to dialogue with the United States, including a potential summit meeting with President Trump, and was committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, according to an account published by China’s news agency Xinhua.
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WNU editor: I cannot put my finger on it, but Kim Jong Un looks awkward and out of place in the above pictures. Also .... it was the Chinese who invited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to come to Beijing for talks.
Chinese And North Korean State Media Are Confirming That North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un Met With Xi Jinping In A Secret Beijing Visit
Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un hold talks in Beijing -- Global Times
The Latest: White House says China informed US of Kim’s trip -- AP
China's Xi affirms friendship with North Korean leader, gets denuclearization pledge -- Reuters
Kim, Xi portray strong ties after N. Korean leader’s visit -- AP
China and N Korea confirm Kim Jong-un visit -- BBC
North Korea's Kim met China's Xi on first foreign trip -- AFP
Kim held talks with Xi in Beijing: Xinhua -- AFP
Kim Jong-un paid 'unofficial' visit to Beijing, Chinese state media confirms -- The Guardian
Kim Jong Un meets with Chinese leader on 'unofficial visit,' state media says -- FOX News
Kim Jong Un pledges 'denuclearization' in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping -- DW
North Korea's Kim Jong-un meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping after taking special train to Beijing -- ABC News Online
North Korean leader meets with China's president during 'unofficial visit' to Beijing -- Washington Post
China confirms that North Korea's Kim Jong Un was in Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping -- Los Angeles Times
North Korea Confirms Kim Jong Un and Wife Visited China -- Sputnik
Kim Jong-un & Xi Jinping held talks in Beijing -- RT
North Korean, Chinese leaders meet in Beijing -- TASS
