North Korea has appointed a former trade minister as the country's new ambassador to China, the Foreign Ministry said Friday, indicating its willingness to bolster economic relations with its most influential ally.
It remains to be seen when Ri Ryong Nam, a 60-year-old former deputy premier who is well-versed in economic policy, will be posted, as North Korea has cut off traffic to and from China since early last year amid fears of the novel coronavirus.
Ri will replace Ji Jae Ryong, 78, who was tapped as North Korea's ambassador to China in 2010. The new envoy was born in Pyongyang and has a study experience at Beijing Foreign Studies University, according to South Korea's Unification Ministry.
The replacement comes as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at the congress of the ruling Workers' Party in January, expressed eagerness to deepen ties with other socialist nations including China.
The focus is on whether North Korea will become more dependent on China, as their relations with the United States have shown little sign of improvement since President Joe Biden took office last month.
U.S.-North Korea negotiations on denuclearization and sanctions relief have been at a standstill, while Beijing and Washington are at loggerheads over several issues such as trade, state-of-the-art technology and alleged human rights abuses.
Meanwhile, a diplomatic source said earlier this month that China is expected to appoint Wang Yajun, a senior official of the ruling Communist Party, as the new ambassador to North Korea, succeeding Li Jinjun.
The plunge in trade with China following the pandemic and the devastation of North Korea's agricultural sector by powerful typhoons have fanned fears that the country's economy has languished and its citizens have not received adequate daily necessities.
North Korea depends on China for more than 90 percent of its trade. Kim acknowledged during the party congress that his nation failed to achieve the economic development goals set in its five-year strategy through 2020 in almost all sectors.
Related coverage:
North Korea changes Kim's English title from "chairman" to "president"
North Korea leader's wife appears in public for 1st time in a year
North Korea foreign minister elected as politburo member of ruling party
