A confidential cable dated 22 May 2007 from the US ambassador in Seoul to Washington reveals North Korean officials „suggested“ to the Americans that because Kim Jong-il‘s second son, Kim Jong-chol, was „a great fan“ of the British guitarist, a „performance could be an opportunity to build goodwill“. The report adds that „arranging an Eric Clapton concert in Pyongyang… could be useful, given Kim Jong-il‘s second son‘s devotion to the rock legend“…
The plan later appeared to stall, however, with Clapton denying that he had agreed to take part. His spokeswoman put out a statement saying that he „receives numerous offers to play in countries around the world“, and „there is no agreement whatsoever for him to play in North Korea“.