KCNA: North Korea delegation met with Democratic Republic of Congo officials

SEOUL, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- A North Korean delegation led by Ri Su Yong arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to Pyongyang's state media.

Ri, who was recently appointed deputy head of the Korean Workers' Party, arrived in Kinshasha with a team of envoys, according to Pyongyang's KCNA on Monday.

"Celestin Tunda Ya Kasende, vice secretary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy met the delegation at the airport and expressed deep gratitude to Comrade Kim Jong Un for kindly dispatching the delegation, while offering them a warm welcome," the North Korean statement read.

According to KCNA, Tunda Ya Kasende said, "we have a lot to learn from the powerful and authoritative Korean Workers' Party."

The Congolese official also reportedly said that he hoped the two sides would allow for in-depth discussions for cooperation and exchange.

The visit to the central African country may be part of a state visit to other nations in the region.

On Aug. 11 KCNA reported Ri left North Korea on Thursday to attend the seventh assembly of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola.

South Korean diplomatic officials have said North Korea is trying to break out of its isolation through the rekindling of friendly relations with countries in Africa.

North Korea has not abandoned its nuclear weapons program despite strong international pressure.