Reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is visiting China, his only powerful ally, with his son and heir apparent, a South Korean presidential source said today.
The visit comes ahead of a rare meeting next month of the North Korea's Workers' Party (WPK), which rubber stamps major policy decisions. Analysts say the assembly could set in motion the succession of the leader's son, Kim Jong-un.
Kim, his iron rule underpinned by a personality cult, rarely travels abroad. But this would be the second time since May that he has gone to China on which he depends to prop up his country's failing economy.
When he does travel, he always goes by private train and is thought to be terrified of flying.
There is widespread speculation that Kim is in poor health following a suspected stroke in 2008 and some analysts say he may be in a hurry to establish his son's succession to the family dynasty that has ruled North Korea since its founding after the second World War.
Daniel Pinkston, a specialist on Korean affairs in Seoul with the International Crisis Group, said a visit was most likely connected to next month's WPK meeting.
"There is so much circumstantial evidence pointing to the succession issue. And there are other signs that they are hurting for cash aid and assistance. The two things are not mutually exclusive.
"If the succession is being accelerated, then of course Kim has an incentive to address the economic problems and other issues which will be helpful for his son in the transition to taking power," he said.
China's foreign ministry had no immediate comment on his reported visit. South Korea's foreign ministry declined comment.
The reported visit was taking place a day after former US president Jimmy Carter flew into Pyongyang to win the release of an American jailed in the isolated country.
There has been heightened tensions on the peninsula after the March torpedoing of a South Korean warship, blamed by Seoul on the North. The sinking prompted Washington to announce expanded sanctions against the North.
Pyongyang itself has been pushing the international community to return to talks on ending its nuclear weapons programme in return for massive aid and an end to its international isolation.
Reuters