China Not invited to 3rd Death Anniversary of Kim Jong-il

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - China might not attend the third anniversary of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang next week, as North Korean authorities have yet to issue a formal invitation for Beijing, said an unnamed diplomatic source familiar with the matter. The snub was revealed on Monday, December 8, 2014.

Kim Jong-il, who were often blamed for inciting tension in the already-restive region with his controversial iron-fisted rule and nuclear weapons program, passed away on December 17, 2011 from a heart failure at the age of 69. His youngest son assumed the helm of North Korea's leadership at the wake of his passing.

The third anniversary of Kim Jong-il's death is an important moment for the young successor, as it marks the official end of the mourning period in North Korea, which will allow the younger Kim to venture into new directions in relation to the nation's economic and political policies.

"As far as my knowledge goes, North Korea is deliberately leaving China out of the festivities," said the unnamed source. "As a consequence, the Chinese are not considering to not send a representative to attend the anniversary celebration."

It is known that the relationship between China and North Korea have turned even frostier, following North Korea's third nuclear test in 2013.

Previously in 2012, right around the second anniversary of Kim Jong-il's death, Kim Jong-un 'celebrated' by purging his ranks and executed his uncle Jang Song-thaek - widely considered as the nation's second most powerful figure - over suspicions of treason and colluding with the Chinese.

ANTARA NEWS | DESY SAPUTRA