Mr. Kim Jong Il's "secret" trip to China was one of the worst-kept secrets in recent history. Although the Chinese government refused to officially confirm the visit by the reclusive North Korean leader, the news was out as soon as Mr. Kim's special train crossed the border into China last week. If much of his itinerary is now known, one big mystery remains: What was the purpose of the trip? That is the question that has real significance for North Korea, the Korean Peninsula and the rest of the world.

There were probably two reasons for the visit. The first was China's desire to show the world -- and the new U.S. administration in particular -- that it still has clout in Pyongyang. The Beijing government's desire to be a leading power in Asia depends on just that sort of influence. Last year, just before Mr. Kim revealed that he would meet with his South Korean counterpart, Kim Dae Jung, the North Korean leader made another trip to China -- which was a better-kept secret -- to brief his hosts on the upcoming summit. It is tempting to think that another breakthrough might be in the works.

Second, the world has been pushing North Korea to reform its economy. The situation in the country is dire. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people have died from starvation over the last decade. Many more suffer the effects of hunger and malnutrition-related diseases. Quite simply, North Korea cannot feed its people. Its economy does not work.