North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

KJI Receives the Chinese

Kim Jong-il received Wang Jiarui in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province.   The KCNA report was pretty much the same one issued last year. Xinhua reports, “The Chinese president also invited Kim to visit China, once again.”

This was Kim Jong-il’s first interaction with Wang Jiarui since 2004 that did not involve Senior Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Kang Sok-ju.  Instead, KJI was joined by newly appointed KWP International Department Director Kim Yong-il, United Front Department Director Kim Yang-gon and KWP Administration Department Director Jang Song-thaek.

Dispatched on Wang Jiarui’s return flight back to Beijing were MOFA’s Kim Kye-gwan and Ri Gun.

KWP International Department Director Kim Yong-il and KJI (Photo: KCNA).

Kim Jong Il (C, front), top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), meets with Wang Jiarui (L, front), head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, in Hamhung-si, South Hamgyong-do, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Feb. 8, 2010. (Xinhua Photo)

An affiliate of 38 North