Kim Song-nam, secretary for international affairs of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party and widely known as one of the country's leading China experts, departed for China on Nov. 3, leading a party delegation. The visit came just 10 days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a one-day trip to Dandong, Liaoning Province, China. Relations between North Korea and China appear to be growing increasingly close. Some diplomatic sources in Beijing believe the visit is intended to share the key outcomes of the recently concluded fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and strengthen ties between the two ruling parties.

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Kim Song-nam, secretary for international affairs of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, meets Wang Yajun (center), China's newly appointed ambassador to North Korea, in early April 2023. Kim reportedly visited China on Nov. 3, leading a party delegation. / Xinhua News Agency

According to Beijing sources familiar with North Korea-China relations on Nov. 3, a delegation of the Workers' Party of Korea led by Kim departed Pyongyang and reportedly arrived in Beijing that day.

Kim was appointed director of the Workers' Party's International Department in January 2021 and was elected party secretary at the ninth party congress in February this year.

He is also regarded as one of North Korea's foremost China experts, having served as a dedicated Chinese-language interpreter for former North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that he is better qualified than anyone else to lead a Workers' Party delegation to China.

When Kim Jong-un visited Dandong via the New Yalu River Bridge on Oct. 24, Kim Song-nam accompanied him alongside key officials, including Kim Yo Jong, director of the party's General Affairs Department, and Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui.

Kim Song-nam's latest visit to Beijing also comes one year and one month after he attended China's 80th Victory Day anniversary celebrations in September last year.

It is therefore hardly surprising that some analysts view his visit as an effort to further strengthen relations with the Communist Party of China.

In this regard, some Beijing sources said, "The purpose of Kim's visit to China leading a party delegation is clear. Its main objective is to strengthen ties with the Communist Party of China. There is naturally a strong possibility that the two sides will share the outcomes of the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which concluded last month."

The Chinese government, however, maintained a cautious stance and refrained from officially confirming Kim's visit.

At a regular press briefing that day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was asked about Kim's visit to Beijing and whether he had met with Chinese leaders.

"I do not have information on this matter yet. Please inquire with the relevant department," Mao said, declining to elaborate.

Her response effectively directed the question to the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the official counterpart of North Korea's Workers' Party.

Could this not be interpreted as an implicit acknowledgment of Kim's visit?

                                                                                                          Hong Soon-do