China’s top diplomat departs for N. Korea

Yonhap via The Korea Herald

SEOUL — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi departed for Pyongyang on Monday for talks with his North Korean counterpart, amid speculation that the two sides could discuss a possible visit to China by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Wang left the Beijing international airport in the afternoon, accompanied by ministry officials, including spokesperson Hua Chunying.

On Friday, Beijing’s foreign ministry said Wang will leave China on Monday for a three-day visit to North Korea, without giving further details on his trip.

The North’s Korean Central News Agency also reported Saturday that Wang will “soon visit” the North at the invitation of North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho.

Wang’s visit comes as North Korea has been ramping up criticism of the United States amid a prolonged impasse in their nuclear talks. On Saturday, Pyongyang’s First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui said expectations for talks with the US are fading away.

A source in Beijing earlier said Wang could meet with Kim during his stay in Pyongyang, adding that the North Korean leader could also visit China in return for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Pyongyang in June. Kim has visited China four times since March last year for talks with Xi.

North Korea and China have been boasting of their strong relations following Xi’s June trip, which marked the first visit by a Chinese head of state to North Korea in 14 years. Yonhap