North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

KCI Meets PRC Public Security Minister

 

China Public Security Meng Jianzhu presenting gifts from the PRC delegation to Kim Cho'ng-il. Also seen in attendance are Chang So'ng-t'aek, Yi Yo'ng-ho and Kim Cho'ng-u'n (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Cho’ng-il met with China’s Public Security Minister, Meng Jianzhu, who arrived in the DPRK on Sunday [13 February].  During his stay in the country, Meng has met with Kim Yo’ng-nam and KPA Chief of the General Staff Yi Yo’ng-ho.  Meng also participated in several events with the DPRK’s Ministry of People’s Security.  Xinhua reports:

Kim, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission, made the remarks while meeting with Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu.

Kim expressed satisfaction over the continuous and smooth development of DPRK-China relations in various fields.

He said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between China and the DPRK, and the two countries will jointly organize a series of events and activities to mark the anniversary.

Kim also urged the two nations to maintain close relations and shore up their cooperation.

Meng said friendship and cooperation between China and the DPRK has been growing continuously since the two sides established diplomatic ties more than 60 years ago, citing frequent high-level exchanges, expanded trade and economic cooperation and enhanced cultural exchanges.

Chu Sang-so'ng (KPA Gen.), Minister of People's Security, greets Meng Jianzhu in Pyongyang on 13 February 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

Yonhap reported on Meng’s interactions with Kim Yo’ng-nam:

Kim Yong-nam, North Korea’s ceremonial head of state, met with Chinese State Councilor and Security Minister Meng Jianzhu in Pyongyang on Monday, the North’s official news agency reported.

Meng arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday on the first leg of a four-nation Asian trip that will also take him to Laos, Singapore and Malaysia. The official met with his North Korean counterpart, Minister of People’s Security Ju Sang-song, later Sunday.

On Monday, Meng met with Kim Yong-nam, president of the North’s Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, and had a “friendly talk,” Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency said.

On Sunday [13 February], the MPS hosted a reception for Meng.  KCNA reported:

The DPRK Ministry of People’s Security hosted a reception at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Sunday for the Chinese minister of Public Security and his party. Present on invitation were Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu who is state councilor of the People’s Republic of China and his party, Ambassador Liu Hongcai and staff members of the Chinese embassy here.

Minister of People’s Security Ju Sang Song who is member of the DPRK National Defence Commission, Choe Jung Hwa, vice-minister of People’s Security, and other officials of the Ministry of People’s Security were present.

Ju Sang Song said in his speech that Meng Jianzhu’s visit to the DPRK is significant as it is the first visit taking place this year to boost the DPRK-China friendship and it gives pleasure to the Korean army and people celebrating the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il.

He referred to the fact that Kim Jong Il visited China twice last year and had significant meetings with the Chinese collective leadership including General Secretary Hu Jintao.

It is the consistent stand of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the  DPRK government to develop the traditional DPRK- China friendship generation after generation, he added.

An affiliate of 38 North