2ND LD: China keeps silent over Kim visit, speculation continues

BEIJING, Jan. 12 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH ITAR-TASS REPORT THAT KIM MAY STILL BE IN N. KOREA)

China on Thursday continued to refrain from confirming or denying that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is visiting the country, while the mystery of his whereabouts deepened further.

''Presently I really do not know any information that I can provide to everyone,'' Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said at a press briefing.

On whether North Korea had asked China not to discuss the visit, Kong said each country has its own way of doing things. ''Generally speaking, I think understanding and respect should be given to the individual or special practices of every country,'' he said.

Speculation of Kim's destination, which ranged from Beijing to Shanghai to Shenzhen on Wednesday, was expanded to include the southern city of Guangzhou on Thursday.

The rumor that he was about to stay at a hotel in Guangzhou gathered steam when it was revealed that the hotel in question was refusing bookings for normal guests until Sunday. The hotel confirmed the information.

A metal detector was set up at the hotel in the afternoon, and security in the area was visibly strengthened.

Meanwhile, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency filed a report from Pyongyang on Thursday evening quoting an official as saying reports about Kim's trip to China do not correspond to reality.

''The commander as far as I know is staying in North Korea at present,'' the official reportedly said, adding that a mysterious train that crossed the Chinese border two days ago was carrying a ''person close to the North Korean supreme leadership'' visiting China ''for personal reasons.''

Among Kim's titles, he is supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.

The Russian report said the official indicated that the person visiting China might be a member of the North Korean leader's family.

If Kim was visiting China, it would be his first trip there in nearly two years.

During Kim's past trips to China, the two governments did not confirm he had visited until after his return to North Korea.

Chinese President Hu Jintao visited North Korea last October and met with Kim in Pyongyang.

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