20 Jan 2020 12:25

No plans thus far to meet with newly-appointed N. Korean foreign minister - Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW. Jan 20 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry has thus far not planned any contacts with newly-appointed North Korean Foreign Minister, Ri Son Gwon, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov told journalists on Monday.

"We are aware [of the new minister's appointment], but nobody informed us beforehand. No contacts are planned so far; he has just been appointed," Morgulov said.

The South Korean Yonhap News Agency said earlier, citing sources in North Korea, that North Korean leadership replaced former foreign minister Ri Yong Ho with Ri Son Gwon, who previously chaired the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland.