North Korea leader sending special envoy to Russia
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 14 November 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, North Korea leader sending special envoy to Russia, 14 November 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/548ea8a7c.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 14, 2014
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to send a close associate to Russia as a special envoy at a time when Pyongyang faces increasing diplomatic isolation.
The secretive communist nation's Korean Central News Agency announced Choe Ryong Hae's planned trip on November 14.
It did not give the timing or the exact purpose of the trip.
Analysts say North Korea may want to strengthen relations with its Soviet-era patron to balance out ties with China, which has been cooler toward Pyongyang since it fueled tensions last year with its third nuclear test and threats of nuclear strikes against Seoul and Washington.
Russia has been cultivating North Korea as part of a campaign to increase its influence in Asia.
The announcement comes ahead of an expected UN General Assembly vote next week on a resolution, put forth by the EU and Japan, that condemns the North's human rights record.
Based on reporting by AP, BBC
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
