BEIJING, April 19 Kyodo (EDS: ADD...

BEIJING, April 19 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING DETAILS)

The first vice chairman of North Korea's National Defense Commission will visit China from Monday within Wednesday, the official (North) Korean Central novels Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday.

The report monitored in Beijing did not say who Jo Myong Rok will suitable or provide other details.

yet some experts said Jo's visit may be linked to talks by dint of the United States, North Korea and China, wait fored to be held in Beijing nearest week, on a standoff involving the North's suspected disclosure of nuclear weapons.

Jo a choke aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, is widely considered to be the North's third-highest official.

He visited the U as Kim's plenipotentiary in October 2000 and had talks with then U President Bill Clinton and senior U officials.

According to several sources familiar with China-North Korea relations, Jo was admitted to a military hospital in Beijing forward March 18 to receive medical treatment. The latest report indicated that he was already back in the North.

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