Kim Jong-un couple watches Chinese troupe's performance
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju greet Chinese dancers after watching their performance in Pyongyang, Monday. Yonhap
By Kim Bo-eun
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju on Monday attended a ballet performance by a Chinese troupe visiting Pyongyang, the state news agency reported Tuesday.
The visit by the Chinese troupe and the couple's attendance of the performance appears to be a move to consolidate ties between the states ahead of Pyongyang's summits with Seoul and Washington.
“The visit by the Chinese troupe to Pyongyang will serve as a meaningful opportunity to continue the traditions of the friendship between North Korea and China and consolidate and develop it further,” Kim said after the performance, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Song Tao, the Communist Party of China's international liaison department head, was among the Chinese officials present at the event.
The KCNA reported Song stated Chinese President Xi Jinping regarded the agreement reached with Kim highly.
Song said the two states will protect, consolidate and develop their friendship by increasing exchanges in various areas including in arts and culture.
Kim requested the Chinese officials convey his “heated greeting” to Xi for sending the art troupe to Pyongyang.
After the performance ended, Kim went on stage to shake hands with dancers and congratulate them on their successful performance. He highly evaluated the artistry of the performance.
The Chinese troupe staged three performances during its visit. Kim's wife and senior officials including Choe Ryong-hae and Kim's sister Kim Yo-jong attended two of the three shows, and Worker Party's Central Committee Vice Chairman Ri Su-yong was present for all three, in an apparent effort to welcome the troupe.
This was the first exchange between the two states, since Kim held a summit with Xi last month in Beijing. It was Kim's first overseas diplomatic mission, and his first encounter with a foreign head of state.
The two states are seemingly attempting to bolster ties, after relations frayed due to China's participation in sanctions imposed on North Korea.
Xi may visit Pyongyang in June, according to a report by Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun.
It reported the summit will likely be arranged to take place after Kim's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, which will be held in late May or June.
Kim invited Xi to Pyongyang during his visit to Beijing last month.
It will be Xi's first visit to Pyongyang, and the first by a Chinese head of state since former Prime Minister Wen Jiabao' s visit in 2009. Former President Hu Jintao visited Pyongyang in 2005.