KJI Meets Chinese Ambassador
While Pyongyang watchers waited for Kim Jong-il to go to China, KJI brought China to him. The General-Secretary completed the recent parade of core leadership to greet the new PRC Ambassador to the DPRK.
He welcomed the new Chinese ambassador to the DPRK and had a warm talk with him.
He provided a dinner party for the ambassador.
Present there were Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and minister of the People’s Armed Forces, Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Jang Song Thaek and Kim Yong Il, department directors of the WPK Central Committee.
Xinhua’s English outfit has a similar report with slightly more detail than KCNA:
They had a cordial discussion on the relations between the DPRK and China. Liu conveyed the regards of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Kim. Kim expressed his appreciation and stressed the traditional friendship between the two countries, which is fostered by the elder generation of revolutionaries of the two countries, would be further strengthened and promoted.
Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission and minister of the People’s Armed Forces, Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Jang Song Thaek and Kim Yong Il, department directors of the WPK Central Committee were present at the dinner party.
Xinhua also reports on a subsequent meeting between Ambassador Liu and NDC Member and Senior Deputy Director of the MPAF General Political Bureau General Kim Jong-gak:
As the pioneer of the DPRK-China friendship, the KPA would dedicate to strengthening and developing the DPRK-China friendship from generation to generation, said Ri Yong Ho, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, when meeting with the new Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, Liu Hongcai.
The DPRK is glad to see China’s achievement in the social and economic development, said General Ri.
Ambassador Liu said the friendship between the two countries and two armies can be traced back to the war against Japanese aggressors, adding that he would try his best to strengthen and develop the Sino-DPRK friendship.
In Beijing, PRC Central Military Commission, General Xu Caihou, met with MPAF Foreign Affairs Department Director, Major General An Yong-gi:
Xu Caihou, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, made the remarks when meeting with An Yonggi, director of the foreign affairs department of the DPRK’s Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces.
Xu said the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and armed forces attach great importance to developing the exchanges and cooperation with the DPRK.
The China-DPRK traditional friendship, which was forged and nurtured by the older generations of leaders in the two countries, is the common treasure for the two countries, Xu said.
KJI’s meeting with the new Chinese Ambassador occurred at the same time as the DPRK’s announcement of its intention to construct a light water reactor and ROK President Lee Myung-bak said the ROK “should thoroughly prepare for moves by North Korea” after the sinking of the Cheonan on Friday near the NLL. On Monday ROK Defense Minister Kim Tae-yong suggested a North Korean mine as one of the sinking’s possible causes.
Meanwhile, the North Korean press and media have neither reported nor commented on the Cheonan.
