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Dozens of Chinese travelers load their luggage onto buses parked by a customs building in the border city of Dandong, China on July 31.
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Chinese police keep mum regarding stepped-up security
Amid rumors that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has or will soon pay a visit to China, the border city of Dandong seemed eerily silent on September 14. A special train passes through this city each time Kim comes to China. However, Chinese police officials stepped up security near the Aprok River (Yalu River) on the evening of September 13, returning things to normal on the morning of September 14. People are now busy trying to confirm whether that flurry of activity meant a visit to China by Kim Jong-il. But it so far remains unclear why Chinese police authorities reportedly issued the special security alert for the night of September 13. A South Korean government official said, "It’s true that the number of Chinese police officers in Dandong was abruptly raised on September 13. The reason is not yet known." The official called the move possibly misleading. "For now," he said, "the number of Chinese police officials has returned to normal." Around the Apnok River Bridge, where Kim’s train would pass, tourists and merchants were bustling about as normal. "On the surface at least, Dandong is peaceful," said a representative of the Korean community in Dandong. "Trains between Dandong and Sinuiju are operating normally." Luxury hotels nearby the Aprok River were busy as usual, receiving customers. When the North Korean leader visits China, these hotels have been known to turn guests in rooms with a view of the Apnok River Bridge out of their rooms for security purposes. In Dandong, rumors are circulating that North Korea abruptly changed the schedule of Kim’s Chinese visit after information leaked out. "North Korea is particularly sensitive regarding information on Kim’s whereabouts," said a source in Dandong. "Kim’s agenda for the planned Chinese visit may have been rescheduled." The South Korean government official said, "If Kim visits China, it will be sometime after an analysis of the [outcome of the] South Korea-U.S. summit." The summit between presidents Roh Moo-hyun and George W. Bush concluded on the morning of September 15, Dandong time. However, there were still some speculations about Kim’s imminent visit to China. "From this morning, many phone calls came in, checking about the situation of the Aprok River Bridge," said a Korean community official in Dandong. "The Korean community is abuzz regarding reports of Kim’s imminent visit to China." Another source said that, when asked about the goings on in the border city, "Chinese police officers have remained silent."
