최룡해, 김재룡 등 北 배석자들을 통해 본 북중정상회담의 논의 내용
The list of participants at the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday could suggest that as well as politics, the two sides also discussed economic cooperation.
Our Ko Roon-hee explains.
Other than denuclearization, the list of attendees at the Kim-Xi summit suggest that the two sides discussed about economic issues as well.
According to China's state-run CCTV, participants included Choe Ryong-hae, the 1st Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission and Premier Kim Jae-ryong.
Amid tightening international sanctions, Kim Jong-un has emphasized the importance of economic development by pursuing self-rehabilitation... and Choe is tasked with putting those plans into action.
Premier Kim Jae-ryong has been also working to resolve economic difficulties and improve people's livelihoods.
Other than the summit attendees, another person in the spotlight was Chairman Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong.
Video footage from Thursday hints that her pull within the regime appears to have strengthened in recent months.
Kim Yo-jong, who also serves as a senior Worker's Party official, was the 7th person in a line of key figures that shook hands with President Xi when he arrived at the airport.
Standing next to her was high-ranking general Kim Yong-chol.
This is different from Kim Yo-jong's previous role when she was in charge of protocol...usually appearing before the official schedule.
For instance, prior to the North Korea-U.S. summit in February in Hanoi, she took care of preparations at Dong Dang station in Vietnam before Kim Jong-un appeared in front of the crowd.
Her elevated role within the regime's power structure was strongly implied earlier this month when North Korea expressed condolences to South Korea over the death of former first lady Lee Hee-ho.
Kim Yo-jong came to the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjeom to hand over flowers and messages to South Korean security officials.
She was escorted by bodyguards, confirming her high status, considering that deputy directors generally aren't protected by guards.
As for Kim Yo-jong's replacement in terms of protocol, Hyon Song-wol, who heads the North's Samjiyon Orchestra, was at the airport for President Xi's arrival.
She was spotted with Kim Chang-son, Kim Jong-un's protocol chief.
Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News.
