China confirmed Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Beijing — the first time he is known to have left his country since taking over from his father.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week, his first known trip abroad since he assumed control of the isolated state in 2011 and his first meeting with another head of state.
Chinese state media reported Wednesday that Kim made the visit, which was not announced publicly, in advance of planned meetings with South Korean and American leaders, including President Trump.
Kim, 34, said he is „willing to hold dialogue with the United States and hold summits between North Korea and the United States,“ according to China’s official New China News Agency.
He also said denuclearization is possible if „South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts in good faith [and] create a peaceful and stable atmosphere,“ and if „the current situation on the Korean peninsula has begun to develop in the positive direction,“ the news agency reported.
The agency published photos of Kim and Xi shaking hands against a backdrop of North Korean and Chinese flags; posing with their wives, Ri Sol-ju and Peng Liyuan; and speaking with other officials at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
At the invitation of Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un paid an unofficial visit to China from March 25 to 28 pic.twitter.com/OG9695uZ6F
Several other Chinese officials were in attendance, including Premier Li Keqiang, Politburo Standing Committee member Wang Huning and Vice President Wang Qishan.
The meetings unfolded in absolute secrecy. Speculation had swirled that Kim was in Beijing on Monday night, when a mysterious, armored North Korean train was spotted in the Chinese capital.
China is North Korea’s only major ally and trading partner.
