In brief: Kim Jong Il seen visiting China

Beijing – North Korea’s reclusive leader Kim Jong Il was making his way today to China’s capital on a rare trip abroad meant to be so secret that Beijing refused to confirm it – despite videos shot by foreign media showing him leaving a Chinese hotel.

Kim was expected to meet with President Hu Jintao and other top Chinese leaders just as South Korea inches closer to blaming the North for the recent sinking of a navy ship that killed 46 sailors.

Japanese and South Korean media, which have been closely tracking Kim, reported today that a train carrying Kim had arrived in the eastern port city of Tianjin, one of China’s special economic zones aimed at manufacturing and exports.

Ahmadinejad scoffs at sanctions

New York – After months of campaigning to avert new U.N. sanctions, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday dismissed the threat of further economic penalties over his country’s nuclear program.

“Experience has proven that sanctions cannot stop the Iranian nation,” Ahmadinejad told reporters at a hotel across from U.N. headquarters, where a monthlong nuclear treaty conference was in its second day.

Despite Iran’s defiance, major powers on the 15-nation United Nations Security Council appear resolved to seek further sanctions. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday he was “reasonably optimistic” an agreement can be reached on a fourth round of sanctions.

Japan softens tone on U.S. base

Tokyo – Japan’s prime minister said for the first time Tuesday that at least part of a key U.S. military base will remain on the southern island of Okinawa, a move that could reduce tension with Washington but dent his sinking popularity and raise the ire of island residents.

A dispute over the relocation of Futenma Marine Corps airfield has become the focal point of U.S.-Japan ties since Yukio Hatoyama took office last September promising to move the base off Okinawa.

But on his first visit to Okinawa as prime minister, Hatoyama conceded it would be difficult if not impossible to move Futenma’s facilities off the island, which hosts more than half the 47,000 American troops stationed in Japan under a security pact.