N. Korea's Kim Jong Un makes diplomatic debut

SEOUL, South Korea -- Kim Jong Un the marshal became Kim Jong Un the statesman as he talked with Chinese political dignitaries in meetings state media reported Friday that were his first official foray into foreign affairs since becoming North Korea's leader.

Kim told Wang Jiarui, head of the Communist Party's international affairs office, that his government is focused on building the economy, then invited the Chinese delegation to a banquet Thursday, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported. The occasion was Kim's diplomatic debut as leader, seven months after he took power following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il.

The talks took place as swaths of North Korean farms remained submerged after heavy rains. More than 120 people were killed and tens of thousands lost their homes in fierce storms last month, state media said.

After gaining the new title of marshal and shuffling the military leadership last month, Kim Jong Un made the surprise introduction of his wife, Ri Sol Ju. Kim also has emphasized raising the standard of living, an objective laid out for him by his father.

Kim Jong Un has yet to make his first trip abroad as leader but appears to be molding himself on his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, who traveled regularly overseas and mingled comfortably with foreign diplomats and journalists.