NHK NEWSLINE, March 15, 2018— North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho is on his way to Sweden. Observers say he is expected to discuss the planned US-North Korean summit with his Swedish counterpart.
Sweden has diplomatic ties with North Korea. The Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents US interests in the country.
Ri left Pyongyang and flew into a Beijing airport on Thursday. The minister headed to Stockholm later in the day.
Media in Sweden reported last week that Ri is expected to hold talks with the Swedish foreign minister.
The first-ever US-North Korea summit will likely be high on their agenda. The summit is expected to take place by May.
Ri has long been engaged in diplomacy with Washington. His move is attracting attention as Pyongyang has yet to officially respond to US President Donald Trump’s acceptance of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s invitation to talk.
In January, North Korea sent a vice foreign minister in charge of US affairs to Sweden.
