N.K. leader may have discussed potential talks with U.S. during China visit: spy agency

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2026-10-29 15:29:41

spy agency-N Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un addresses a ceremony at Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang on Sept. 30, 2026, to celebrate the North's top university's 80th founding anniversary, in this file photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency the next day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may have conveyed Pyongyang's position on potential talks with the United States during his recent visit to China, Seoul's spy agency told lawmakers Thursday.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment during a closed-door parliamentary intelligence committee audit, according to Rep. Youn Kun-young of the ruling Democratic Party and Rep. Yoo Yeong-ha of the main opposition People Power Party.

The NIS also said Kim may have had a purpose for his visit to China beyond commemorating Beijing's participation in the Korean War, noting that he was accompanied by senior diplomats, such as Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, rather than military officials.

Kim took a one-day trip to Dandong on Saturday, meeting Wang Huning, China's top political adviser, and visiting a war memorial amid Pyongyang and Beijing's efforts to deepen ties.

The visit came ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in China's Shenzhen next month, which U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend. Trump has expressed interest in resuming dialogue with Kim.

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