Jong-un ends Beijing visit as Trump summit looms

BEIJING: Kim Jong-un’s train left here yesterday after the North Korean leader visited his key ally on a trip seen a strategy session ahead of his expected summit with United States President Donald Trump.

Jong-un arrived here on Tuesday for his fourth visit to Pyongyang’s sole major diplomatic friend, reportedly visiting a factory and meeting President Xi Jinping.

The North Korean leader’s motorcade was spotted arriving at the Beijing central railway station early afternoon, and the train departed shortly after on a daylong ride back to the northeast border, according to journalists.

The unannounced trip was largely shrouded in secrecy. Beyond confirming his presence here, no details have been provided by either North Korea or China on his schedule.

Jong-un met for one hour with Xi on Tuesday — believed to be the North Korean leader’s birthday — and the two later dined with their wives at the Great Hall of the People, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

The meeting focused on Jongun’s expected meeting with Trump, according to Yonhap.

In a New Year speech, Jong-un warned that Pyongyang may change its approach to nuclear talks if Washington persists with sanctions.

Relations between China and North Korea had deteriorated in recent years over Pyongyang’s nuclear activities, but Jong-un has made sure to keep Xi informed about his dealings with the US and South Korea as ties appear to have warmed.