Where's Waldo?

Apparently no one seems to know where Li'l Kim Jong Il is. He was supposed to be in China for talks about North Korea's economic and military situation according to US sources. But according to South Korean sources, he was supposed to be in Russia.

The fact is that no one really knows where the heck the guy is.

Several times, anonymous but well-informed sources told South Korean news agency Yohnap about new developments in the alleged visit.

Kim, who officially is only the chairman of North Korea’s National Defence Commission, is said to have left southern China for the Russian border. But no official statement confirming or denying the fact has for the time being been made.

China usually confirms visits by its ally only when they are over as happened in 2000, 2001 and 2004. Russia has so far abstained from making any statement. Japan instead made an unexpected announcement. Shinzo Abe, a spokesman for the Japanese government, said yesterday that “as far as we know it is highly probable that Kim is visiting China”.

Whatever the case may be, nothing is certain about the North Korean leader’s plans. Many international geopolitics experts do believe though that he is likely meeting top Chinese officials to discuss North Korea’s dangerous nuclear programmes. They are currently at a crossroad.

And no one thinks that this situation is the least bit curious? The NYT has an AP squib, but doesn't note the confusion between the various sources. Now, this could all be part of elaborate plans to keep Kim safe and secure, but it would be nice to know that intelligence services (including our own at the CIA) are able to keep tabs on where dictators and nutjobs are - especially ones who have every intent of acquiring nuclear weapons.

Also noting the nuttiness of L'il Kim: The Jawa Report and Ace of Spades.

UPDATE:
Rebecca MacKinnon of NK Zone wonders where Kim went and thinks it will be interesting where he turns up. Can we call in Stone and Parker to get Team America on the case?