N. KOREA & CHINA: North Korean leader in China seeking cash, clout

May 5, 2010

By Barbara Demick and John M. Glionna, Los Angeles Times, Reporting from Beijing and South Korea

Kim Jong Il arrives by armored train to meet with Chinese leaders. His country needs an influx of funds for its faltering economy and help in fending off international sanctions.

When North Korea's reclusive leader, Kim Jong Il, ventures outside his hermit kingdom, he must be in need of something and for his current trip to China, the wish list is especially long. From his last real ally, the 68-year-old dictator is seeking protection from international sanctions and the nod to install his twentysomething son as his successor, as well as money to prop up a faltering economy.

Famously phobic about flying, Kim reportedly arrived in China on Monday, in a style befitting one of the world's last Cold War dictators: on an armored train and in what was supposed to be complete state secrecy. He and his retinue crossed the Yalu River separating North Korea and China and arrived at 5:20 a.m. in the border city of Dandong. From there, he was said to have traveled to the port city of Dalian, where he was believed to be ensconced in the luxury Furama Hotel, before heading in the early evening to Beijing.

In keeping with Kim's anachronistic style, the Chinese government maintained a media blackout on the visit (in contrast to the many photographs published of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and even more of his model wife, Carla Bruni, during a visit to China last week).

But it's impossible to keep under wraps a 17-carriage armored train, not to mention the accompanying limousines and a bus with Pyongyang license plates that was reportedly following along. Roads alongside Kim's route were closed for much of the day Monday for security.

South Korean and Japanese press were stalking Kim's delegation; once in Beijing, he is believed likely to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao and a succession of other Chinese officials. Kim has visited China four times since 2000, but not since 2006, several months before North Korea conducted its first nuclear test. He badly needs Chinese money and, just as important, China's clout in the international community, especially on the U.N. Security Council, to fend off crippling economic sanctions.

"To remain strong and withstand the pressure, the relationship with China is very important,'' said Kim Keun-sik, a professor at South Korea's Kyungnam University.