Iran Press/Asia: According to Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the group of DPRK foreign ministry officials left the North Korean capital for the trip, and they will also visit the Republic of Azerbaijan and Mongolia.
No further details of the purpose or schedule of the trip were released, and it is still unclear which country the officials will visit first.
The trip comes as the DPRK continues to seek to strengthen ties with its traditional friends and to increase trade with these countries as negotiations with the US over sanctions relief remain stalled.
It also follows a closely-watched summit in Vladivostok last week between DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin — a longtime ally of both Damascus and Tehran.
The tour could, too, be part of reported efforts by the DPRK to boost trade ties with countries in the Middle East as a way to counter over-reliance on trade with China.
Vice-foreign minister Pak’s delegation follows other developments in the past year with the four countries on the itinerary, including visits to each by foreign minister Ri Yong Ho.
Kim Jong Un also sent a letter to Syrian president last week, KCNA reported Saturday, in which he express[ed] the belief that the historic relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries would grow stronger.
Foreign minister Ri also will travel to Iran, where he will meet with President Hassan Rouhani and foreign minister Javad Zarif.
Meanwhile, foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Iran’s official government news agency IRNA last week he would visit North Korea soon, but did not provide a specific date. 101/211/202
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