Kim Jong Il Makes Second Trip To China In Three Months

From ROK Drop:

Kim Jong-il Makes 2nd Chinese Trip in Three Monthsfrom ROK Drop by GI Korea


It is pretty odd that Kim Jong-il is making a trip to China so soon after traveling there just three months ago. Everyone is speculating that it may be a meeting to discuss handing over power to his son Kim Jong-eun in the near term, which it may very well be. This trip could just simply be Kim trying to mooch more money out of the Chinese after the recent flooding in North Korea, which has also struck China quite heavily as well. I just think it is funny that Jimmy Carter got stiffed by Kim Jong-il:







A government official says that a special train belonging to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il left Manpo in the North and crossed the border toward Jian City in China early Thursday.



The official said the government had indications a few days ago that Kim might make the trip, adding that the North’s leader was confirmed to have crossed the border with China at midnight.



The official also said the government is trying to determine the purpose of Kim’s visit, noting that it’s been just three months since his last China trip.



The official said that it has not been confirmed whether Kim’s third son and heir apparent, Jong-un, is accompanying him on the visit.



The official also said that Kim’s destination may not be Beijing this time, citing the unusual route that the leader’s train has taken, which includes Manpo and Jian. Kim traditionally visits Beijing via Dandong, a Chinese border city. [KBS Global]



My guess is that he bypassed Dandong probably because of the heavy rains that have hit the area. Anyway judging by the above picture Kim Jong-il looks like a dead man walking.