北리수용 라오스행, 사회주의 국가 연대강화... 美, 中과 대북제재 이행 논의

N. Korea's senior official who heads the regime's international department is headed for Laos.
He's currently in Beijing as a stop-over,... where U.S. nuclear negotiator Stephen Biegun is also staying.
While the U.S. looks to coordinate with China to keep pressure on the North,... Pyeongyang appears to be seeking stronger ties with socialist countries.
We begin with Arirang's Oh Jung-hee.
On Tuesday, Pyeongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported... that a North Korean delegation headed by Ri Su-yong left the regime to visit Laos.
Ri is the head of North Korean ruling party's international department... that's mainly in charge of the North's party-to-party exchanges with other countries.
He was spotted in Beijing on Tuesday making a stop-over,... coming out of the airport and heading to the North Korean embassy.
Ri Su-yong's stop in Beijing coincides with Washington's nuclear negotiator Stephen Biegun's visit to China.
The U.S. State Department confirmed... that its Special Representative for North Korea is currently in Beijing,... which is reportedly to meet with his Chinese counterpart and discuss the Hanoi summit fallout.
Sources indicate that Biegun is also highly likely to urge China to implement international sanctions.
While the U.S. is trying to keep all sanctions on North Korea in full force, Pyeongyang is boosting ties with socialist countries.
Throughout March, Pyeongyang has had several high-level contacts with Russia as well.
"North Korea has a two-track approach. On one hand, it's restoring ties with its traditional allies, China and Russia. And on the other hand, Pyeongyang opts to strengthen ties with socialist countries in Southeast Asia like Vietnam and Laos."
Although expectations are high that a meeting between Ri and Biegun could take place, pundits say it's unlikely.
Ri has not been involved in nuclear negotiations nor have been Biegun's counterpart... so his stay in Beijing is seen as nothing more than a brief stop-over.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.