Kim, who ruled North Korea with an iron fist for 17 years, died of heart failure on Dec. 17, according to the North's state media. Since the announcement two days later, the country has set up condolence venues at its embassy in Beijing, its consular offices in Shenyang, Dandong and Yanji, and other locations in China with a large North Korean population, the traders said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
North Korean businessmen in China are apparently under pressure to draw more Chinese visitors to these venues in order to receive positive assessments from their superiors and avoid punishment, they added.
"All the North Korean traders I deal with have asked me to visit a condolence venue before the end of the mourning period on Dec. 29," said one Chinese businessman in Dandong, which borders North Korea.
Other local traders said they were even asked to offer condolence money and wreaths of a particular size.
"I agreed to pay my respects (to Kim Jong-il) in order to save my business partner's face," said another Chinese businessman, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The local traders said, however, that North Koreans often make monetary and other requests, such as when the country is hit by natural disasters.
North Korean residents in China are offering their condolences each day, apparently to show that the condolence venues draw many visitors, they added.
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Chinese residents pay their respects to late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il at the North Korean customs office in Dandong, China, on Dec. 20. (AP-Yonhap) |
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