North Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ri Yong Ho, has arrived in Beijing and was seen entering North Korea’s embassy, Kyodo News reported today. The official reason for the state visit is unknown but will be closely watched by the global community for signs of contact between the minister and high-ranking Chinese officials following Pyongyang’s fifth nuclear test.
According to the Associated Press, Minister Ri plans to head to New York for the UN General Assembly after attending the Non-Alignment Movement summit in Venezuela. This will be his first appearance since his appointment to the post last May. His predecessor, Ri Su Yong, attended the General Assembly in 2014 and 2015.
Ri Yong Ho’s visit to the UN comes amid strong international criticism levied at North Korea for their fifth nuclear test on September 9. Minister Ri is expected to defend North Korea’s nuclear position and address the sanctions put in place by the UN Security Council during the meeting.
