North Korean official in charge of US makes surprise visit to Russia

(Baonghean) - A senior DPRK official responsible for US-related issues kicked off a visit to Russia on September 25.

This is the information posted by North Korean state media, amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula related to Pyongyang's nuclear program.

Ms. Choe Son-hui - Director General of the North American Affairs Department of the North Korean Foreign Ministry is visiting Russia. Photo: Yonhap

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Ms. Choe Son-hui - Director General of the North American Affairs Department of the North Korean Foreign Ministry is scheduled to hold talks with Oleg Burmistrov - Russia's ambassador-at-large in Moscow. According to this source, Ms. Choe's trip was arranged at the invitation of Ambassador Burmistrov - who recently visited North Korea at the end of July.

Meanwhile, Japan's NHK television channel also reported that a delegation led by Ms. Choe stopped at an airport in Vladivostok, but the specific schedule of her visit this time is unclear.

According to Yonhap, the visit took place amid heightened tensions due to North Korea's sixth nuclear test as well as verbal battles between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump.

Mr Kim has vowed to take “highest level” action against the US as Mr Trump threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea if forced to defend itself and its allies against a North Korean attack.

The Russian Embassy in North Korea also said that last week, Ms. Choe met with Russia's senior special envoy to Pyongyang, Alexander Matsegora, to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Choe's visit is seen as part of Russia's efforts to play a bigger role in resolving the North Korean nuclear standoff.

The UN Security Council imposed new sanctions last week following Pyongyang's sixth and most powerful nuclear test on September 3.

Meanwhile, Russia and China have long called for resuming dialogue to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

Phu Binh

(According to Yonhap)