The North Korean authorities have invited a select group of the state��s Chinese economic partners to Pyongyang to help celebrate today's birthday of Kim Jong Eun, Daily NK has learned. The guests of the regime were expected to attend a basketball friendly between an American side led by Dennis Rodman and a North Korean side hand-picked by the former NBA superstar. 

A source in China informed Daily NK on the 8th, ��Some Chinese traders who have given a great deal to projects in Pyongyang, including the construction of department stores, shops and restaurants, have been invited to go and celebrate Kim Jong Eun��s birthday. All accommodation, food and travel while in the country is being covered by the Chosun side, and all other expenses are to be borne by the invitee.��

��Chosun [North Korea] has only invited a select group, and there will only be two or three officials from the Chinese side, so the total number of people won't have exceeded 30. Their schedules for today are to attend the friendly basketball game and then inspect Pyongyang [Munsu] Water Park. Later there will be a tour of Kaesong and Panmunjom, and I hear that a number of banquets have been prepared,�� the source went on.  

By hosting the group in this way, Kim Jong Eun is following in the footsteps of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, both of whom invited foreign business people and dignitaries to partake of their birthday celebrations. The only difference is the small number of invitees, the lack of publicity outside the country thus far, and the fact that today is not actually a North Korean public holiday. 

��Kim Jong Eun has not done much in terms of showing himself off as yet,�� the source posited, ��and since he has a great many things to worry about at home right now, such as the execution of Jang Song Taek, he cannot host a large spectacle for this birthday this year. Nevertheless, it does appear that they want to convey their gratitude to foreign investors, so he��s invited them to help him celebrate."

Furthermore, ��These invitations have been extended because there is a sense of urgency about attracting investment for special economic zones and other projects that call for capital. After creating a genial atmosphere via the tourist activities, they will actively work to encourage the invitees to invest in things like the construction of water parks in each major city.��

Meanwhile, a second source has revealed that the North Korean authorities have also summoned a select group of provincial cadres to Pyongyang for the birthday celebrations. The source from North Hamkyung Province reported to Daily NK, ��Some provincial cadres have gone up to Pyongyang for the Marshal��s (Kim Jong Eun's) birthday celebrations on January 8th. This has not been officially reported to the people, and cadres are the only ones being quietly called up.��