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the late Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s leader whose body lies in state ahead of his funeral next week.
According to the official KCNA news agency, the DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il (69) died of a heart attack last Friday on a train during a field guidance tour.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi spoke by phone yesterday with his US and South Korean counterparts to exchange views on the death of Kim Jong Il and the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.
In separate phone conversations with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, Yang said safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula serves the common interests of all parties and China is ready to work with them toward that end.
Agreeing on the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, both Clinton and Kim said their countries will maintain close communication and co-ordination with China in this regard.
Yang also said China is ready to enhance dialogue and co-operation with the US and South Korea to advance bilateral ties with both countries in the New Year.
Both Clinton and Kim expressed the wish to promote relations between their countries and China.
South Korea’s government sent its condolences to the North Korean people yesterday, despite tense relations following two deadly border incidents last year.
“Regarding the death of Chairman Kim Jong-Il, the government conveys sympathy to the people of North Korea,” said Unification Minister Yu Woo-Ik, who oversees cross-border relations.
Officials also scrapped a plan to display Christmas lights near their shared border, a proposal which had infuriated the North.
The conciliatory gestures were announced after a ministerial meeting chaired by President Lee Myung-Bak to discuss the aftermath of the top leader’s death. – Xinhua/AFP/bbc.co.uk.
Online Reporter