(2nd LD) N. Korea's ceremonial head of state in Beijing ahead of African trips

(ATTN: ADDS reaction from China's foreign ministry in paras 8-9, photo; RECASTS first two paras, headline)

BEIJING, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's ceremonial head of state, Kim Yong-nam, arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, en route to rare foreign trips to some nations in Africa and the Middle East in the latest sign of active diplomacy by the ed North.

The 86-year-old Kim, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, was greeted by the North's ambassador to China, Ji Jae-ryong, as he arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport. He made no remarks before he was whisked away by car.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) also reported that Kim left for Africa but did not specify his itinerary.

He is accompanied by Kang Ha-guk, minister of public health; Kung So-ung, vice foreign minister; and So Kil-bok, vice minister of external economic relations, added the KCNA.

Last week, the KCNA reported that Kim, formally the number two leader in the communist regime's hierarchy, will pay "official goodwill visits" to some African countries, including Ethiopia, Sudan and Congo.

A South Korean diplomatic source in Beijing said Kim is also expected to visit some countries in the Middle East, but no meeting with senior Chinese officials has been scheduled.

"To my knowledge, there has been no arrangement between Kim and Chinese officials during his stopover in Beijing," the source said on condition of anonymity.

Asked whether Kim could meet with senior Chinese officials during his stopover in Beijing, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said she had no information.

"I have not gotten any information about that at the moment," Hua told reporters during a regular press briefing.

The overseas trips by Kim follow visits to some European nations and Mongolia in September by Kang Sok-ju, the secretary handling international relations for the North's ruling Workers' Party.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong also traveled recently to the United Nations General Assembly, Iran and Russia as part of apparent attempts to ease the country's diplomatic isolation.

kdh@yna.co.kr
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