MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will travel to North Korea on Thursday to discuss the reclusive state’s nuclear program and bilateral cooperation, the foreign ministry said. “Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will take place on May 31,” the foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. Lavrov and his North Korean counterpart will discuss bilateral ties, North Korea’s nuclear program and other key international problems, the foreign ministry said. Lavrov will travel to North Korea amid preparations for a high-stakes, high-drama summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Washington wants North Korea to quickly give up all its nuclear weapons in a verifiable way in return for sanctions and economic relief.

Source: Manila Times May 30, 2018 12:33 UTC