SEOUL, Apr. 15 (Yonhap) – New North Korean Ambassador to China Ri Ryong-nam has handed over his credentials to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the North Korean official daily Rodong Sinmun reported on Thursday.
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Presenting the credentials on Wednesday, Ambassador Ri conveyed warm greetings from leader Kim Jong-un to Xi and the Chinese leader also asked the diplomat to send his greetings to Kim, according to the newspaper.
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For new foreign ambassadors, the delivery of credentials is the normal procedure before the start of official office.
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Ri, 61, was appointed in February to replace Ji Jae-ryong who had served as ambassador to Beijing since 2010.
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Ri is known for his skills in trade and economics as he worked as Minister of Trade in 2008 and Minister of External Economic Affairs until 2016. He was also Deputy Prime Minister in charge of trade with the foreigner from the North until recently.
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His appointment appears to be aimed at strengthening economic ties and cooperation with North Korea’s largest trading partner. It also appears to be in line with the North’s efforts for generational change in key government positions.
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North Korea and China have shown friendly relations in recent years amid heightened rivalry with the United States and deadlocked denuclearization talks between Pyongyang and Washington.
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