KCNA confirms Putin's willingness to visit DPRK

SEOUL - Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his willingness to visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday, citing a press release issued one day earlier by the assistant office of the DPRK's foreign minister.

At the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui paid an official visit to Russia from Monday to Wednesday and held strategic talks with her Russian counterpart, according to the press release.

The two countries had deep strategic communication and reached consensus on various regional and international issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, it said.

The DPRK and Russia expressed their strong will to further strengthen strategic and tactical cooperation in defending the core interests of the two countries and establishing a new multi-polarized international order based on independence and justice, it added.

Putin extended "deep thanks" for the invitation of DPRK leader Kim Jong Un to visit Pyongyang at a convenient time and expressed his willingness to visit the country at an early date, it said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin's visit to the DPRK was being discussed between the two sides "through diplomatic channels," media reports said.