The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has set up its high-level Diplomatic Commission for the first time in nearly two decades as the country tries to improve international relations and bolster its nuclear weapons program.

The Diplomatic Commission was set up at the Fifth Session of the 13th Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang on Tuesday, the DPRK’s state-run KCNA news agency has reported.

Kim Jong Un, leader of the DPRK, attended the Assembly, and some 600 deputies to the SPA were also present.

The formation of the Diplomatic Commission and election of its members was among the five main agenda topics decided at the SPA session. The others were the review of the cabinet’s 2016 work, summing up the execution of the state budget in 2016 and 2017, a review of the enforcement of the universal 12-year education system, and organizational matters. 

The Diplomatic Commission of the SPA was established for the first time in 19 years, a move reportedly to improve its relations with the external world on the basis of its pursuit of nuclear weapons and missiles, South Korean Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday.

Deputy Ri Su Yong, vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee, was elected chairman of the SPA Diplomatic Commission of the DPRK, according to KCNA.

The meeting was held in the shadow of recent tensions on the Korean Peninsula and just ahead of US Vice President Mike Pence’s tour of Asia. The DPRK’s nuclear program will be high on his agenda.