Beziehungen DPRK - China

[rroft]

China presents North Korea with Kim Jong Il waxwork
Waxwork will go on display in Pyongyang after second opening ceremony on July 27

By James Pearson, July 10, 2013

SEOUL – China presented North Korea with a life-size waxwork figure of Kim Jong Il wearing the late leader’s trademark jumpsuit and parka coat during a special presentation ceremony in Beijing on Tuesday. A North Korean delegation, including Deputy Minister of Science and Education Kim Mun Kyung was there to receive the waxwork, which goes on display in North Korea’s ‘International Friendship Exhibition’ on 27 July.
Kim praised the talents of the artist, Zhang Molei, China’s Global Times said, and emphasized the friendship between China and North Korea. Zhang created a waxwork figure for Kim Il Sung and his wife in 1996 (see video at bottom of article). With a Kim Jong Il figure added to the collection, analysts in South Korea are speculating that Sino-DPRK relations are showing a “gradual recovery” since Choe Ryong Hae’s May visit to Beijing in May. (NK News)