Kim Jong-il makes surprise China visit: sources

A policewoman at the Chinese border town of Ji'an said: "Some leader came yesterday," but declined further comment on reports that the two Kims had traveled there on late on Wednesday.

Cai Jian, an expert on Korea at Fudan University in Shanghai expressed a degree of skepticism over the reported trip.

"North Korea does not need China's blessing or approval for succession plans, but Kim may feel he should inform China of his plans.

"China has made it clear that it is very concerned about maintaining stability and close contacts with North Korea, and it would be concerned to know that any future leader also attaches much importance to relations with China. But this is not about seeking China's agreement, it's about informing China."

The reported visit was taking place a day after former U.S. 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 expanded U.S. sanctions against the North.

Pyongyang, which denies sinking the ship, 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.

China wants Seoul and Washington to put the sinking of the warship behind them, and to restart the stalled six-party talks.

The South's foreign ministry spokesman, Kim Young-sun, told a news conference that North Korea must first take responsibility for the sinking and be willing to denuclearize before Seoul was willing to engage in six-party talks.

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