NK Leader Kim Could Extend China Visit

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is known to have carried out activities in secret on the third day of his China visit Sunday.

His entourage left the Chinese city of Changchun at 9:15 p.m. Saturday.

The destination of his exclusive train was not known. No signs of heightened security were reported in the cities of Tumen and Jian in Jilin province and Dandong in Liaoning province, where the train was expected to pass.

Analysts say Kim could be touring one of China’s three northeastern provinces or resting due to fatigue from his prolonged trip.

A diplomatic source in Beijing said, “With no signs that North Korean leader Kim has crossed the North Korean border, his visit to China could be extended longer than expected.” In May, he stayed in China for five days.

Some 20 vehicles of his entourage were also seen heading for a train station escorted by Chinese police at 8:40 p.m. Saturday after departing from Changchun’s Nanhu Hotel, where he stayed.

Kim was reportedly bid farewell by unidentified senior officials from Beijing at a VIP hall in Changchun Station.

mungchii@donga.com