Russia delegation arrives in North Korea for trade talks

ANKARA

Senior officials of Russia and North Korea on Wednesday gathered in Pyongyang to discuss boosting cooperation in range of fields including trade, science, and technology, state-run media said.

A Russian delegation led by Alexandr Kozlov, minister of natural resources and ecology, arrived in the North Korean capital to attend the 10th meeting of the Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology, Korean Central News Agency reported.

Officials of both countries held inter-sector talks and discussed the practical issues of realizing cooperation in various fields, it said.

On Tuesday, the Russian delegation was warmly welcomed by Yun Jong Ho, minister of external economic relations, according to the agency.

Relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have gotten closer following an official visit by Kim Jong-un to Russia in September.

Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also visited Pyongyang and gave assurances that it would fully support its policies and had put its weight behind North Korea against the US.

Later, the US, South Korea, and Japan claimed that North Korea delivered weapons to Russia, and Seoul warned of retaliation if Moscow transfers its missile technology to Pyongyang.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid