Asia-Pacific News
North Korean leader en route to Beijing: report
Apr 3, 2010, 2:56 GMT
Beijing - A special train from North Korea, thought to be carrying the country's leader Kim Jong-Il, arrived in China Saturday morning, according to a news report.
The train arrived at Dandong on the Chinese side of the border at 2:50 am Beijing time, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported.
Yonhap cited unnamed government sources as saying it was likely that Kim was onboard.
Earlier in the week, the agency reported that the reclusive leader was planning a trip to Beijing, and that an advance team of North Korean officials had already left for China.
If the visit goes ahead, Kim is expected to ask Beijing for more economic assistance as North Korea is suffering from idled factories and food shortages after years of UN-led sanctions and embargoes.
It could also signal Pyongyang's willingness to return to the six-nation nuclear negotiations, as Kim must reciprocate for energy and food aid from Beijing, which is host to the six-party talks.
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