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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...g-il-tells-china/story-e6frg6so-1225911584866
I'm backing my boy, Kim Jong-il tells China
KIM Jong-il appears headed for a third destination in China rather than going home last night from a surprise trip.
The trip is believed to be linked to the North Korean leader's succession plans.
Mr Kim's special train left the northeastern city of Changchun early yesterday in what was believed to be a departure for home, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.
But as of last night there were no signs the train had returned to the North via the Chinese border cities of Dandong or Jian.
A diplomatic source in the Chinese city of Yanji said the local government was preparing to receive a special guest. "It is highly likely it would be Chairman Kim," the source said.
Mr Kim, 68, has not previously visited Yanji, capital of the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, part of China's economic development plan for its northeast provinces.
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Mr Kim is believed to have met President Hu Jintao in Changchun, during an apparent mission to seek China's support for an eventual handover of power to his youngest son, Kim Jong-un. China is the impoverished North's sole major ally and its economic lifeline.
Meanwhile, the man nominated to be South Korea's next prime minister announced his withdrawal yesterday amid a mounting scandal over alleged corruption while he was a provincial governor.
Two others nominated for ministerial posts also offered their resignations, in a political blow to conservative President Lee Myung-bak.
Kim Tae-Ho, 47, was put forward for the prime ministership three weeks ago as part of a major cabinet reshuffle by Mr Lee.
He came under fire during his confirmation hearing last week over charges that he had under-reported income, illegally took bank loans for campaigns and made local government employees do his household chores while he was a governor.
AFP
I'm backing my boy, Kim Jong-il tells China
KIM Jong-il appears headed for a third destination in China rather than going home last night from a surprise trip.
The trip is believed to be linked to the North Korean leader's succession plans.
Mr Kim's special train left the northeastern city of Changchun early yesterday in what was believed to be a departure for home, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.
But as of last night there were no signs the train had returned to the North via the Chinese border cities of Dandong or Jian.
A diplomatic source in the Chinese city of Yanji said the local government was preparing to receive a special guest. "It is highly likely it would be Chairman Kim," the source said.
Mr Kim, 68, has not previously visited Yanji, capital of the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, part of China's economic development plan for its northeast provinces.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
Mr Kim is believed to have met President Hu Jintao in Changchun, during an apparent mission to seek China's support for an eventual handover of power to his youngest son, Kim Jong-un. China is the impoverished North's sole major ally and its economic lifeline.
Meanwhile, the man nominated to be South Korea's next prime minister announced his withdrawal yesterday amid a mounting scandal over alleged corruption while he was a provincial governor.
Two others nominated for ministerial posts also offered their resignations, in a political blow to conservative President Lee Myung-bak.
Kim Tae-Ho, 47, was put forward for the prime ministership three weeks ago as part of a major cabinet reshuffle by Mr Lee.
He came under fire during his confirmation hearing last week over charges that he had under-reported income, illegally took bank loans for campaigns and made local government employees do his household chores while he was a governor.
AFP
