Kim's visit promotes economic relations

Kim Jong-il, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), paid an unofficial visit to China from May 20 to 26, the third time in just over a year.

The visit had important implications as it took place at a time when the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are holding joint military drills more frequently, the Six-Party Talks, aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the Korean Peninsular nuclear crisis, have reached an impasse and the DPRK is suffering from food shortages.

The visit signaled Pyongyang's approach to studying China's development and attracting more Chinese investment.