North Korea Resumes Face-to-Face Diplomacy with China, Which Halted COVID-19 Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] North Korea has resumed face-to-face diplomacy with China, which had been suspended due to the spread of COVID-19.

Korean Central News Agency reported on the 22nd, "On the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of Comrade Kim Jong-un's meeting with Comrade Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, who visited our country, a photo exhibition was held on the 21st at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in our country."

Li Jinjun, Chinese Ambassador to North Korea, stated at the exhibition, "The Chinese side will continue to implement the important joint understanding of the two parties and the two countries' top leaders together with the Korean (North Korean) side, elevate the China-North Korea friendship to a new level, and actively contribute to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity."

Kim Seong-nam, Director of the International Department of the Workers' Party, who was invited to the exhibition, emphasized, "Despite the worsening global health crisis and serious changes in international and regional situations recently, the two party leaders are closely engaging in strategic communication and developing the China-North Korea friendship and cooperation relationship to a new higher level."

He added, "The comradely cooperation, friendship, and solidarity bonds between the two parties and two countries, which are deepening in various fields including politics, economy, and culture, are powerfully driving the socialist construction of both countries."

In addition to Director Kim of the International Department, Moon Seong-hyuk, Deputy Director of the Party's International Department, Park Myung-ho, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ryu Eun-hae, Vice Minister of Foreign Economic Affairs, were also invited to the exhibition.

North Korea had prohibited contact with external personnel amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However,

high-ranking officials, including the Party's International Department Director, attended the exhibition hosted by the Embassy in China to mark the 2nd anniversary of President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea.

Ri Ryong-nam, North Korean Ambassador to China, recently visited Shanghai and Zhejiang Province upon invitation from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the North Korean Foreign Ministry announced on the same day.

Ambassador Ri toured the memorial hall of the venue of the 1st Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, which contains the handwritten calligraphy of Chairman Kim Il-sung and Chairman Kim Jong-il, the "Red Boat" where the founding of the Communist Party was declared, the exhibition hall commemorating the 30th anniversary of Pudong's development and opening, and the Chuanshan Port area of Ningbo and Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang Province.

The Foreign Ministry stated, "During Ambassador Ri Ryong-nam's visit, officials of Shanghai and Zhejiang Province emphasized deepening exchanges and cooperation with Korea in various fields," and added, "Together with Chinese comrades, we will jointly strive to further strengthen the China-North Korea friendship bonds imbued with the passionate dedication of the elder generation leaders of the two countries."