Kim Jong-un’s drinking buddy SNATCHED by cops in China

NORTH Korean dictator Kim Jong-un’s pal has been snatched and detained in China over “national security” concerns.

Michael Spavor has been snatched by Chinese authorities with authorities claiming they are suspected of spying. 

Spavor runs a company that takes tourists to North Korea and is a personal chum of tubby tyrant Kim.

He has been pictured having a drink with the North Korean leader.

And he is also said to be the one to have introduced Kim to basketball legend Dennis Rodman.

The tour operator is the second Canadian to be detained, following Michael Kovrig.

China’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that the two Canadians are suspected of engaging in activities endangering national security.

Beijing has reacted angrily after the arrest of Huawei boss Meng Wanzhou in Canada for extradition to the US.

She is the daughter of the Chinese tech giant’s founder, and is being held of suspicion of violating sanctions against Iran.

Meng’s arrest has sparked a major diplomatic row between the two countries. 

NORTH KOREA: Kim Jong-un is pals with Canadian businessman Michael Spavor

China has been accused of detaining the two men in a tit-for-tat response.

Beijing said the cases involving Spavor and Kovrig, a diplomat who is on leave to work for the International Crisis Group, are under investigation.

Spavor, a business consultant who founded China-based Paektu Cultural Exchange, has jet skied with Kim during his travels to North Korea.

He is one of the few Westerners with personal ties to the notoriously secretive North Korean ruler.

DRINKING BUDDIES: Michael Spavor and Kim Jong-un share a coktail on a yacht

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FAN: Michael Spavor wears a North Korean jersey at the Winter Olympics

Spavor had been trying to drum up interest in investing in North Korea. 

He has hoped the warning up of relations between US President Donald Trump and Kim will open the country.

Based in the Chinese city of Dandong, Spavor facilitated the visit of former NBA star Rodman to Pyongyang.

Images from the trip show him sharing cocktails with Kim, going for a ride on a yacht, and jet-skiing.

FAMOUS FRIENDS: Michael Spavor hangs out with Dennis Rodman and Kim Jong-un 

Spavor had written on Facebook that he would be in Seoul from Monday for a few days to do consulting work and catch up with friends.

Pals said he never arrived – and Chinese media reports he was detained by the National Security Bureau in Dandong.

Canadian officials have said they haven’t heard from him and officials are trying to locate him.

Meng has been released on bail in Vancouver after she was arrested on an extradition request from the US.