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Pyongyang, Beijing agree on deepening relations

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, greet the crowd before a mass gymnastic performance at the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, Thursday, during Xi's first day of a two-day trip to the North. / Xinhua-Yonhap

By Yi Whan-woo

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on deepening bilateral relations for peace on the Korean Peninsula and security in East Asia, according to the North's state media, Friday.

The Korean Central Agency (KCNA) said the two leaders reached the agreement during a summit on the first day of Xi's two-day trip to the North.

Xi left Pyongyang early Friday afternoon. An image posted on the mobile app of state broadcaster CCTV showed people waving to his Air China Boeing 747 on the tarmac at the airport in Pyongyang.

In a separate report, China's official Xinhua News Agency said Xi "will firmly support" the North's move to resolve the nuclear issues and encouraged its focus on economic development.

CCTV said Xi promised to help "as much as he can" when Kim told Xi that he will continue his dialogue with U.S. President Donald Trump to settle denuclearization issues.

The KCNA did not mention Kim referring to the denuclearization dialogue.

"They exchanged opinions on the situation on the peninsula and other grave security issues in the region and around the globe," the KCNA said. "They assessed deepening bilateral relations meets their common interests and is beneficial for peace, stability and development."

Kim and Xi promised to make joint efforts to accelerate exchanges and cooperation in all fields, on top of exchange visits among their senior officials.

"They saw such efforts are important for closer strategic communication, mutual understanding and trust, especially considering the 70 years of bilateral relations," the KNCA added.

Kim, Xi reach consensus on 'important issues' through meetings: KCNA [PHOTOS] 2019-06-22 14:20  |  North Korea 'Seoul sent message for 4th inter-Korean summit' 2019-06-21 17:32  |  Politics
Cheong Wa Dae assessed that the North Korea-China summit, along with a scheduled South Korea-U.S. summit late this month, will "serve as an occasion" to help resume denuclearization dialogue.

The Thursday summit took place at Kumsusan State Guesthouse, according to the KNCA. It also said Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan spent a night there.

The North was believed to have opened the Kumsusan State Guesthouse exclusively for Xi's visit, given that the name was unheard of in the past, according to sources familiar with Pyongyang.

Citing photos of the guesthouse, sources pointed out decorations inside the building are different from those of Paekhwawon State Guest House, where President Moon Jae-in stayed during his 2018 trip to the North.

This was Xi's first trip to Pyongyang as the Chinese president.

It was seen as a bid to highlight Beijing's leverage over the North amid the U.S.-China trade row and stalled denuclearization talks.

This captured image of Chinese broadcaster CCTV shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, third from right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, second from right, being accompanied by their wives during their visit to Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, Friday, to honor the Chinese soldiers killed during the 1950-53 Korean War. / Yonhap

Before leaving, Xi, accompanied by Kim and their wives, visited a monument symbolizing North Korea-China friendship.

The 30-meter-tall monument, Friendship Tower, was built in 1959 to remember Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War in support of the North.

It has been considered a "must-visit" place for any high-profile Chinese figures, according to sources familiar with the North.

"We will pass down the China-North Korea friendship from generation to generation, consolidate and develop the two countries' socialist cause, better enrich our citizens and advance regional peace, stability, development and prosperity,'' Xi was quoted as saying.

Xi was the highest-ranked Beijing official to visit the monument after his processor Hu Jintao in 2005.

"Xi's visit is seen as especially meaningful considering this year marks the 70th anniversary of Pyongyang-Beijing relations," a source said. "This also sends a message to the world that their bilateral alliance will remain solid."