It was his first trip abroad since succeeding his father Kim Il-Song as leader of the Stalinist nation in 1994. The three-day visit came ahead of a historic summit between North and South Korea next month. Neither Pyongyang nor Beijing had commented on the trip, which took place in almost total secrecy. But the official Korean news agency confirmed on Thursday that Mr Kim had met Mr Jiang on a visit to Beijing. South Korea and Japan, which are both trying to forge ties with the North, immediately welcomed news of the trip.
China is North Korea's closest ally and has been prodding Pyongyang to make peace with Seoul.
Isolation There had been widespread speculation that North Korea's supreme leader would visit China this year, as his country begins to emerge from years of isolation compounded by devastating food shortages. The Korean Central news agency gave few details of what was discussed. Diplomats say Mr Kim is also concerned that China, traditionally North Korea's closest ally, is becoming too friendly with the government of South Korea, with which Beijing has fast growing economic ties. Improving ties North Korea, whose number two leader visited Beijing last year, has given a number of signals it wishes to improve international relations. Pyongyang recently agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Italy and Australia.