DPRK's FM visits Cuba

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As the United States steps up sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in a bid to further isolate it internationally, the country's foreign minister is visiting Cuba, meeting early Wednesday with his Cuban counterpart.

According to Cuban officials, Ri Yong Ho, the DPRK's foreign minister, flew to Cuba Monday but there has been no information released about his agenda.

Ri's first public meeting came Wednesday morning when he arrived at the Foreign Ministry for talks with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez.

However, there were no details about what the two ministers discussed.

CGTN Photo‍

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un is under growing international pressure to end his nuclear and missile programs.

This week US President Donald Trump relisted the DPRK as a State Sponsor of Terrorism , a move which was followed by the announcement of new sanctions, including efforts to stop the DPRK from sending people to work abroad to earn hard currency.

Cuba was removed from the blacklist by former president Barack Obama, but is now facing new restrictions on travel to the United States.

Relations have also been strained by accusations that US diplomats suffered hearing and memory loss after alleged sonic attacks in Havana, claims that Cuba has denied.

CGTN Photo

Cuba and the DPRK have been close politically since the beginning of the Cuban Revolution, establishing diplomatic relations in 1960.

Cuba is also one of the few countries which do not have diplomatic relations with South Korea.

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