Posted on 02/21/2007 9:58:27 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
China's Ex-Envoy to Korea Accused of Leaks
Former Chinese ambassador to Korea Li Bin has been accused by China of disclosing state secrets related to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s visit to China last January, according to a report Wednesday in Hong Kong's Ming Pao Daily News. According to the article, the accusations against Li may be related to reports on Kim's plans to visit China that appeared in the South Korean and Japanese press. Typically, Kim's visits to China are not disclosed by the Chinese government until after he has left, and then only in passing.
The Hong Kong newspaper said that Li may have been behind the leaks that led South Korean and Japanese media outlets to detail Kim's planned schedule and stops for a trip to Hubei, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen
He is also said to be responsible for the news leak that Kim was about to visit China in Sept., 2005. At the time, the news came out beginning in August. There were reports of various sightings of Kim's special train showing up at Shinuiju, across the border from China, and being rerouted later. It is generally viewed that Kim's visit was scrapped due to premature publicity.
I guess that Li bin did his part in poisoning the relationship between N. Korea and China. Chinese security must have finally figured out who was the leak. In one of the reports I saw, they said that it was a part of 'deal,' implying that he was getting something in return for passing the information on Kim's visits.
I am curious about what he got in return. Was it money ? Or was he so overzealous in securing some key intelligence that he was compelled to give some bombshell information in return? Or was it just an attempt in his part (with the approval of his superiors) to sabotage Sino-N. Korean relationship because he belonged to a faction which has dim view of N. Korean regime and was intent on downgrading Sino-N. Korean tie?
Many questions and little answer.
Ping!
He was Lil'Kim's escourt on his trip if I am not mistaken.
Could his leaks have lead to that little explosion at the train station in 2005?
Probably BOTH Tiger money and maybe opporants leaders want get rid of Chia Pet
No worries!
I think so.
So what happens to Li Ben now?
Sacked from his post as a deputy mayor of Weihai, detained, and presumably under investigation.
State secret passing in the PRC is a pretty rough charge and serious, adult's business. With the high conviction rate (a rigged system) usually results in the firing squad (usually a pistol shot to the back of the head) after being paraded around the streets as a traitor.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.