By Yi Whan-woo
Kim Chang-son,
de facto chief of staff to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was seen in Beijing on May 26, fueling speculation that the latter may be discussing another summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping following the ones in March and early May.
Diplomatic sources said Kim Chang-son was seen at Beijing Capital International Airport, where he boarded an Air Koryo flight bound for Pyongyang at 2 p.m.
He was accompanied by Kim Song-nam, deputy chief of the international bureau of the North Korea's ruling Workers' Party.
"There's no concrete evidence at the moment that the person seen is Kim Chang-son," a source said. "But if is found that Kim Chang-son stayed in Beijing, it could be a visit for party-to-party exchanges between North Korea and China."
Another source said the trip to Beijing could mean another China visit by Kim Jong-un.
The third source said Kim Chang-son was in Beijing on May 24 en route to Singapore for the North Korea-U.S. summit preparations, but that he had revised his schedule after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled the summit.
"There is a possibility that Kim prepared for a Singapore visit in Beijing but saw a twist in his plan due to Trump's announcement," the source said. "Kim Chang-son serves as a guide to Kim Jong-un's schedule, so there is a possibility."
Meanwhile, Hong Kong media reported that the train service bound for Beijing from China's northeast region would be suspended on May 27 and 28 as well as on June 13 and 14.
The route passes trough Dandong, Dalian, Fushun and Shenyang in Liaoning Province; Changchun in Jilin Province; and Harbin in Heilongjiang Province.
The reports add to speculation that Kim Jong-un may visit China again on his special train.
When Kim visited China in late March, train services were suspended in the northeast region, and Kim's train arrived in Beijing via Dandong.
For decades, North Korean leaders, amid rumors that they feared being assassinated, did not use planes when traveling abroad until Kim flew on his private jet, Chammae-1, to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Dalian from May 7 to 8.
China 'hopes Trump-Kim summit can happen as planned' 2018-05-27 17:02 | North Korea
