Moscow and Pyongyang agree on joint offshore hydrocarbon exploration in N. Korea - Russian minister

MOSCOW. Nov 17 (Interfax) - Russia and North Korea have agreed to jointly conduct offshore exploration of hydrocarbons in North Korea, Russian Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov told reporters following a meeting of the two countries' intergovernmental commission in Pyongyang.

"It was announced at the session of the intergovernmental commission that Russia and [North] Korea had reached agreement [...] on maritime exploration of hydrocarbons," Kozlov said.

"The subsoil management department of the Russian Natural Resources Ministry will draw up a plan for geological exploration efforts after the Korean side provides all the required geophysical maps," he said.

A central topic on the agenda of the intergovernmental commission's meeting in Pyongyang was transport links by rail and air, Kozlov said.

"The resumption of regular flights will make it possible to develop a large number of areas, including tourist trips," he said.