ROK says DPRK to diversify diplomatic relations

The Unification Ministry of the Republic of Korea said on Monday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea sent a special envoy of leader Kim Jong-un to Russia, seemingly with the intention of diversifying its diplomatic relations.

"Our government sees the dispatch of Choe Ryong-hae to Russia as a special envoy as being an extension of the DPRK's attempt to diversify its external relations," ROK Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol said.

The DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency reported last week that Kim plans to send Choe, a member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, to Moscow, without elaborating on the purpose of his trip.

Choe began his eight-day trip to Russia on Monday to discuss bilateral relations and security conditions in the region, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement cited by ROK news media.

Choe will visit Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, Russia's Far East cities near the DPRK border, on his way home from Moscow.

Lim said that it remains to be seen as to the specific purpose of Choe's trip and the subsequent results.

ROK news media said, without citing sources, that Choe is likely to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin during his trip.

The DPRK has recently sought to improve ties with Russia as part of efforts to boost diplomatic relations with foreign countries.

Vice-Marshal Hyon Yong-chol, minister of the DPRK People's Armed Forces, met Putin in Moscow on Nov 8 and conveyed Kim Jong-un's greetings. DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong visited Russia on Sept 30.

The two countries recently strengthened economic cooperation, including an upgrading of the DPRK's railroad by Russia in exchange for its access to DPRK natural resources.

Cheong Seong-chang, a senior analyst at the private Sejong Institute, said that if Choe meets with Putin, he is expected to talk about holding a summit between Putin and Kim.

Kang Sok-su, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, traveled to Europe and Mongolia in September when the DPRK's foreign minister visited Iran, Russia and the United States.

The DPRK also showed willingness to improve relations with the US by releasing all three US citizens detained in the country.