North Korea’s “Number Two” Rushed to China Before the 18th National Congress

Jang Sung Taek, the uncle of Kim Jong Un, often labeled North Korea’s second most powerful figure, is currently on a state visit to China to discuss the two countries’ cooperation on special economic zones. Beijing’s experts on North Korea believe that by choosing to visit just as China prepares to usher in its next generation of leaders, he hopes to fight for and secure greater benefits for North Korea.

Jang, a member of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and vice chairman of the National Defense Commission, met with Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming on August 14. The two discussed Chinese-North Korean economic zones in Rason, as well as plans for cooperation on the Hwanggumpyong and Wihwa Island economic zones. In the following days, he will also tour Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Northeast China. Afterward, he will return to North Korea on August 18.

Jang Sung Taek is the highest level North Korean official to visit China since Kim Jong Un became leader. His visit to China on the eve of the changing of the guard of China’s leadership has drawn much attention.

North Korea’s previous nuclear tests and satellite launches have affected relations between the two countries. Differing opinions are emerging among academics regarding whether China’s unconditional aid to North Korea in the past was of any use in encouraging the abandonment of their nuclear program, and some believe that China should adjust its policies toward the smaller nation.

“The primary reason for sending Jang Sung Taek to China is to put as much of a stop as possible to this kind of wavering and debate before the opening of the 18th National Congress, then push for cooperative projects. This is in line with North Korean interests,” said Zhang Liangui, a professor at the Central Party School’s International Strategy Research Institute.

Furthermore, in the scholar’s opinion, previous speculation that Jang Sung Taek may be visiting China to gain knowledge, as North Korea is attempting to implement new measures for economic reform and develop the country’s economy, is inaccurate. He also quoted North Korea’s public declaration from July, which denied wishing to emulate China’s glasnost.

“This is North Korea’s official position, so although there have been some modifications, the most that we can say of these minute changes is that North Korea is making adjustments in a few real ways based on the shifting domestic and foreign environment. To say that they are really proceeding with reforms and opening up to the world or revising major policies is a baseless assumption,” Zhang said.

He believes that North Korea’s current stance of developing the economy is but one part of its goal of building a powerful nation, and that as possession of nuclear weapons is the mark of a powerful nation, North Korea will not abandon them lightly.