N. Korean leader hopes for closer ties with China in 2009

SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has sent a New Year
message to Chinese President Hu Jintao expressing hopes for closer ties between
the traditional allies, Pyongyang's state media reported Thursday.
"2009, which will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the DPRK and the PRC, is a significant year which the peoples
of the two countries agreed to celebrate as a 'year of the DPRK-China
friendship," Kim said in the message, using the short form for the two nations'
official names, according to the Korea Central News Agency.
He added that Pyongyang-Beijing ties would grow stronger thanks to the efforts of
the two sides in the new year.
China, the North's key ally, remains the impoverished nation's main donor amid
shrinking outside aid for Pyongyang. South Korea, once a major supporter, has
suspended all non-humanitarian assistance of rice and fertilizer for the North,
which has boycotted dialogue with Seoul.
The reported message marked the latest in what has become a virtual "rule through
media" by the North Korean leader, who is believed to have suffered a stroke last
August. Kim has since remained out of the public eye, while the North's official
media has released still photos of him at irregular intervals along with reports
of his outdoor activities.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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