"North Korea's Choe Son-hui to Visit Moscow Tomorrow... Scheduled Talks with Russian Officials"

Currently Staying in Vladivostok

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui is scheduled to visit Moscow, Russia, on the 30th (local time), according to Russian state news agency TASS on the 29th.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

TASS, citing diplomatic sources, reported that Foreign Minister Choe arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, on the 28th and has been staying there since, with plans to be in Moscow on the 30th. According to Russian Sputnik News Agency, Choe plans to hold talks with Russian officials in Moscow.

Earlier, North Korea's Korean Central News Agency also reported that Foreign Minister Choe departed Pyongyang on the 28th for an official visit to Russia.

The Russian Embassy in North Korea explained that Choe's visit is taking place within the framework of a "strategic dialogue," and that during the North Korea-Russia summit in June, both sides agreed to activate strategic dialogue. The embassy stated, "In accordance with the spirit and form of the new treaty signed at that time, both sides will normally conduct in-depth consultations on bilateral relations and international political issues not only at the high-level diplomatic level but also among deputy ministers in charge of foreign affairs and heads of subordinate units."

Choe's visit to Russia is drawing attention as it occurs amid recent issues regarding the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. In particular, there is speculation that discussions may include North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia and the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.

Meanwhile, this is Choe's third visit to Russia this year. He officially visited Russia in January and met with President Vladimir Putin, and last month he also visited Russia to attend the Eurasian Women's Forum and the BRICS Women's Forum.