The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK’s) foreign minister Ri Yong Ho will visit Cuba on Monday to discuss bilateral cooperation and other important topics, according to a brief statement from Cuba’s foreign ministry.

Ri is set to arrive on Monday afternoon in Havana, the capital of Cuba, and to meet with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez. He will also participate in other unspecified events during his visit.

The visit comes at a time when both countries' ties with the United States are once again strained: US President Donald Trump has continued to threaten Pyongyang with sanctions and possible military action due to the latter's recent missiles tests, and Washington withdrew more than half of its staff from its embassy in Cuba over an alleged sonic attack and also expelled 15 Cuban diplomats who worked in the US capital in September.

Cuba and the DPRK have maintained sound political and economic relations since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1960.

(With inputs from Xinhua)