N. Korea's premier holds talks with visiting Russian governor

North Korea's External Economic Relations Minister Yun Jong-ho, fourth from right, shakes hands with Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Russia's far eastern region of Primorsky Krai, during their talks at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang, Dec. 12. Courtesy of the North's official Korean Central News Agency

North Korean Premier Kim Tok-hun has held talks with the governor of Russia's far eastern region of Primorsky Krai, Pyongyang's state media said Friday, amid speculation that North Korea is seeking to send workers to Russia to earn much-needed hard currency.

Kim and Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of the Russian region that borders North Korea, met in a comradely and amicable atmosphere at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday, the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, without elaborating.

Kozhemyako told a Russian news media outlet ahead of his visit that he will discuss ways to boost cooperation in the fields of tourism, trade and agriculture.

There is speculation that the two sides may discuss the possible dispatch of North Korean workers to Russia, a move that is banned under United Nations Security Council resolutions imposed due to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

The National Intelligence Service, South Korea's spy agency, said Tuesday it has detected signs of North Korea seeking to send workers to Russia and is closely monitoring the situation.

Kozhemyako's visit came as the two nations have been strengthening their ties following the summit of the North's leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in September. (Yonhap)