Kim Jong Un has made a surprise visit to Beijing on his first known trip outside North Korea since taking power in 2011, Bloomberg News quoted three people
BEIJING – Kim Jong Un has made a surprise visit to Beijing on his first known trip outside North Korea since taking power in 2011, Bloomberg News quoted three people with knowledge of the visit as saying.
Further details of the visit, including how long Kim would stay and who he would meet, were not immediately available. The people asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the information.
Sources close to the matter had earlier Monday said a high-ranking North Korean official is apparently visiting China and it could be leader Kim.
The visit is aimed at improving ties with Beijing, the sources said. Relations between Pyongyang and Beijing have been strained over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
As China, worried about possible contamination from nuclear tests, has strengthened economic sanctions against Pyongyang, the official may also seek an easing of the sanctions and the provision of economic cooperation such as food aid and investment.
