3-day, 2-night visit to North Korea strengthens close ties between North Korea and China
North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency announced on the 27th that China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Wei-dong met North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui in Pyongyang on the 26th and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation for common core interests. Amid the recent strengthening of North Korea-Russia ties, China has also shown moves to manage its relationship with North Korea. However, North Korean media did not mention that a mutual visit between the leaders of the two countries was coordinated to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between North Korea and China. Unlike Russia, which is strengthening military cooperation, it is interpreted that China’s intention is to first keep a dialogue channel open with North Korea and manage it first.
On the day that Vice Minister Sun met with Choi Son-hui, he also held a vice-minister level meeting with North Korea’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Myung-ho and discussed exchange plans. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said, “We agreed on a schedule of major events to mark the Year of China-DPRK Friendship,” and “We decided to develop China-DPRK relations by deepening traditional friendship and practical cooperation.” However, it is not known whether Vice Chairman Sun met Chairman Kim Jong-un during his 3-day, 2-night visit to North Korea starting on the 25th. On the 27th, when the Chinese delegation led by Vice Minister Sun returned home, North Korea’s Ministry of Sports delegation headed by Sports Minister Kim Il-guk departed for China, North Korean state media reported on the 28th.
North Korea sent Choe Son-hui, a minister-level official, to Russia this year. It is known that Choi Son-hee met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that she even coordinated President Putin’s schedule for his visit to North Korea. On the other hand, North Korea sent Vice Minister Park Myung-ho to Beijing last December, and Vice Minister Sun came to Pyongyang again this time. No ministerial-level meeting between North Korea and China has yet taken place this year. Park Won-gon, a professor at Ewha Womans University, said, “China is uncomfortable with North Korea and Russia being too close militarily,” and added, “As such, only a low level of cooperation is still taking place between North Korea and China.” However, some predict that this vice-ministerial meeting will lead to more high-level personal exchanges between North Korea and China.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.