New North Korean Ambassador to the United Nations Kim Song submitted his credentials to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday, officially taking up his new post at the country's mission to the international body.

Kim, who had previously served at the mission as a counselor, replaced Ja Song Nam, who was Pyongyang's top U.N. representative between February 2014 and July 2018.

At the U.N. ceremony to recognize Kim, Guterres expressed his hope for continued positive momentum in developments surrounding the Korean Peninsula, saying, "These are very exciting times in which, of course, we are extremely hopeful."

Kim said he looks forward to working with him. He did not answer questions posed by reporters who trailed him as he walked back to his mission, which is located nearby.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho is scheduled to attend the annual debate at the U.N. General Assembly that kicks off Tuesday and deliver a speech on Sept 29.