Kim in secret visit

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was reported by South Korean media to have traveled to China by secret train Tuesday, but Chinese officials refused to confirm or deny reports. Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan told state media DPRK nuclear talks were facing a "difficult situation", after Pyongyang declared Monday it saw no point in returning to six-party negotiations because of US sanctions on its firms. The US embassy in Beijing said chief negotiator Christopher Hill would visit China on Thursday to discuss the issue.