Kim Jong-il makes surprise China visit: sources

The Workers' Party (WPK), which rubber stamps major policy decisions in the secretive North, is holding a rare meeting in September at which the assembly could set in motion the succession of the leader's son, Kim Jong-un, analysts say.

"Kim Jong-il is traveling through China by train, but we have no information as to whether his son is accompanying him," a presidential source told Reuters.

A South Korean foreign ministry source said there was evidence that both Kim and his son were in China. The South's Yonhap news agency reported that Kim was in Jilin, northeastern China, where he visited a school he attended as a child.

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 World War Two.

PARTY MEETING

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."

Wu Dawei, China's top envoy on stalled North Korean nuclear disarmament talks, told reporters at Seoul's Incheon airport he could not comment on the issue, but hinted at a visit.

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