In a brief note, the state news agency ACNC reported that the group is headed by Grigori Rapota, member of the Council’s International Affairs Committee and head of the Parliamentary Friendship Group between the two nations.

Although the information does not give further details, Moscow’s embassy in Pyongyang notified earlier via its Telegram channel that the parties ‘will discuss issues of parliamentary interaction and outline plans for future contacts.’

Relations between the two countries, including the exchange of delegations, have been strengthened following the summit between the top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un and President Vladimir Putin in September last year.

In January, Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, who was visiting Moscow, conveyed to the Russian leader Kim’s invitation to visit the DPRK.

ACNC reported at the time, that Putin expressed his ‘deep appreciation’ for the invitation and assured he would honor it ‘at an opportune time’ in the near future. ef/abo/mem/asg