Author: Jae Cheol Kim, Catholic University of Korea

Kim Jong-il’s visit to China in late May — his third in just over a year — was full of surprises for many observers.

It is difficult to find a precedent in any bilateral relationship for this diplomatic episode, which suggests that ties between China and North Korea have been elevated to the point where the two countries are conducting high-level visits without being restricted by the conventional diplomatic protocol of mutual exchanges. Read more…