North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who made an abrupt visit to China for the first time in about a year, is expected to wrap up his trip and return home on the 24th, a ruling party official said on the 24th. Observers say the trip was aimed at both sending a diplomatic message with a possible North Korea-U.S. summit in mind and highlighting improving Pyongyang-Beijing ties following the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge.
"It appears all but certain that Chairman Kim Jong Un will return home today," the official said.
On the purpose of the visit, the official said there appeared to be two aims: "a positive signal regarding a North Korea-U.S. summit, along with an event in North Korea-China relations such as the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge." The official added, "China is holding its fifth plenary session, and in the case of the bridge opening event, there is no reason to stay long."
"This will be a very short visit," the official said. "What matters is whom he meets in China, and that remains to be seen."
Related to this, the National Intelligence Service visited the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee the previous day and briefed the committee chair and the ruling and opposition party liaisons on the committee about the possibility of Kim's visit to China that day, according to sources.