North Korea’s titular head of state, Kim Yong Nam will depart imminently on a two-nation tour of Southeast Asia, according to a report carried this morning by Rodong Shinmun, the Chosun Workers’ Party mouthpiece.

Kim, who heads the standing committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, has reportedly been invited to visit Indonesia by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and will apparently combine that visit with a trip to Singapore, with which North Korea also has good relations.

Elsewhere, on May 4th Prime Minister Choi Yong Rim made an onsite visit to a number of locations in the economic sphere based in and around Hamheung in South Hamkyung Province.

Again according to Rodong Shinmun, Choi visited sites including the 2.8 Vinalon Complex, Heungnam Fertilizer Complex, Ryongsong Machine Complex and Heungnam Pharmaceutical Factory.

While much attention has been paid to the recent onsite visits of Choi Ryong Hae, the newly anointed director of the Chosun People's Army General Political Department, Choi Yong Rim has also been making more such visits since the death of Kim Jong Il late last year.

▲ Cabinet Prime Minister Choi Yong Rim at the 2.8 Vinalon Complex in Hamheung on May 4th. (© Rodong Shinmun)