N. Korea pushes to maintain friendship with Cuba

By Yi Whan-woo

North Korea is apparently trying to maintain friendship with Cuba after Miguel Diaz-Canel was selected as the new president of the Caribbean island nation in April.

Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on July 10 that Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un had his verbal message delivered to Diaz-Canel through Ri Su-yong.

Ri, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the North Korean Workers' Party, visited Cuba from July 3 to 9.

Ri, also the North's former foreign minister, was the highest ranking official to visit after Diaz-Canel was selected as president to succeed Raul Castro.

The Cuban leader expressed deep thanks and asked Ri to convey his "most heartfelt greetings" to Kim, according to the KCNA.

Ri and Diaz-Canel discussed "further developing the traditional ties between the two parties and two countries" in a friendly atmosphere.

Ri also briefed Diaz-Canel on "economic and social objectives" adopted at the third Plenary Meeting of the seventh Central Committee of the Worker's Party in April.

The two countries became allies during the early days of the Cold War and they have continued to maintain their ties.

Meanwhile, Ri met Chinese government officials in Beijing on July 12 on his way back home.

The sources said Ri as well as three vehicles belonging to the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China were also spotted at the airport in Beijing, indicating that Ri had had a meeting with Chinese officials.