Chinese President Xi to visit N. Korea this week: KCNA

Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a state visit to North Korea this week, the North's state media reported Monday, marking his first trip to Pyongyang since becoming president.

Xi is scheduled to pay a two-day visit to North Korea from Thursday at the invitation of its leader Kim Jong-un, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It will be the first visit by a Chinese leader to its communist neighbor in 14 years. Though Xi visited North Korea in 2008, he was China's vice president at that time.

"The envisioned summit between Xi and Kim bears significance in the bilateral relations as the two neighbors marked the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations," an official said. Further details were not available.

The two leaders last met in January this year when Kim visited China ahead of his second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. As North Korea's last remaining major ally and a key provider of economic support, China has sought a role in negotiations on the North's nuclear programs.

Talks between Washington and Pyongyang have been stalled since February as the Trump-Kim summit broke down due to their failure to narrow gaps over the scope of Pyongyang's denuclearization and Washington's sanctions relief.

Cheong Wa Dae: 'S. Korea, China discussed Xi's N. Korea trip plan'

The South Korean government has closely consulted with China on a plan by President Xi Jinping to visit North Korea this week, Cheong Wa Dae said Monday.

The presidential office was responding to multiple news reports that Xi will make a two-day trip to North Korea from Thursday. Such state media reports by Beijing and Pyongyang represent a formal announcement.

South Korea has kept a close eye on the issue since it learned of a related move last week, Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Ko Min-jung said in a statement.

In the belief that Xi's North Korea visit would contribute to a peaceful resolution to the Korean Peninsula issue, she added, Seoul has closely consulted with China "for its early realization."

His visit this time is expected to help the early resumption of negotiations for the complete denuclearization of Korea and lasting peace on the peninsula, Ko said. (Yonhap)