(2nd LD) N. Korean leader Kim may visit Beijing in what would be 3rd trip to China: report

(ATTN: ADDS more info)

SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may visit Beijing soon to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss cooperation after his historic summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, a media report said Tuesday.

Citing sources close to the matter, Japan's Nikkei newspaper reported that Kim may travel to Beijing by plane as early as Tuesday. It added that relevant security measures were seen being made in the Chinese capital.

Aviation sources said that Air Koryo's An-148 airplane was spotted early in the morning taking off in Pyongyang, presumably bound for Beijing. It has not been confirmed whether Kim is on board.

"It appears to be a plane specially arranged to fly from Pyongyang to Beijing," a source said.

A separate North Korean freight plane was said to have landed at Beijing's Capital International Airport at about 8:40 a.m.

Police officers have been deployed around the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, spawning speculation that a high-ranking foreign official's visit might be imminent.

If Kim visits Beijing, it would be his third trip to China this year alone following the ones in March and May when he met Xi.

It would also follow Kim's summit meeting with Trump in Singapore on June 12 in which Kim affirmed his commitment to complete denuclearization in return for security guarantees and a new relationship with the U.S.

The newspaper said that Kim would use the trip to share the details on the summit and discuss bilateral cooperation with China going forward.
(END)