The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: North Korea's premier arrived on a rare visit to Cambodia on Thursday to explore business opportunities to boost the economy of his reclusive state.
Kim Yong Il — the highest-ranking North Korean official to visit Cambodia in six years — will oversee the signing of two agreements to facilitate investment and maritime transportation between the two impoverished nations, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters.
"This visit is to strengthen political relations as well as our economic and trade relations," he said, adding, "I think the North Koreans will buy more products from Cambodia." He did not elaborate.
Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomed Kim at the airport in the capital, Phnom Penh. About 1,000 Cambodian well-wishers, waving flags of the two countries, were brought to greet the North Korean premier.
Kim and his delegation will "have a firsthand look at great successes made by the government and people of Cambodia in efforts to achieve development and prosperity," a North Korean government statement said.
During his four-day visit, Kim is to hold talks with Cambodia's retired king, Norodom Sihanouk, who has maintained a close personal relationship with North Korean leaders for decades. Kim is not related to top North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
Sihanouk has often traveled to North Korea for long stays at a palace in Pyongyang, the communist nation's capital.
Early this month, Cambodian Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh said North Korea may try to promote business ties with Cambodia to offset sanctions imposed by some countries on the communist state.
Although North Korea has diplomatic relations with 160 countries, it is still considered one of the world's most isolated nations, as most of its ties remain nominal and involve only minimal trade and exchanges.
China is North Korea's only major ally and accounts for more than half of its total foreign trade.
The U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on North Korea following its test of a nuclear device last year.
Kim Yong Il, a technocrat who became premier earlier this year, ranks below Kim Jong Il and the country's No. 2 official, Kim Young Nam. He is on a four-nation Southeast Asian tour which also includes Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos.
In 2001, Kim Yong Nam visited Cambodia at Sihanouk's invitation.
Kim Yong Il — the highest-ranking North Korean official to visit Cambodia in six years — will oversee the signing of two agreements to facilitate investment and maritime transportation between the two impoverished nations, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters.
"This visit is to strengthen political relations as well as our economic and trade relations," he said, adding, "I think the North Koreans will buy more products from Cambodia." He did not elaborate.
Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomed Kim at the airport in the capital, Phnom Penh. About 1,000 Cambodian well-wishers, waving flags of the two countries, were brought to greet the North Korean premier.
Kim and his delegation will "have a firsthand look at great successes made by the government and people of Cambodia in efforts to achieve development and prosperity," a North Korean government statement said.
During his four-day visit, Kim is to hold talks with Cambodia's retired king, Norodom Sihanouk, who has maintained a close personal relationship with North Korean leaders for decades. Kim is not related to top North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
Sihanouk has often traveled to North Korea for long stays at a palace in Pyongyang, the communist nation's capital.
Early this month, Cambodian Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh said North Korea may try to promote business ties with Cambodia to offset sanctions imposed by some countries on the communist state.
Although North Korea has diplomatic relations with 160 countries, it is still considered one of the world's most isolated nations, as most of its ties remain nominal and involve only minimal trade and exchanges.
China is North Korea's only major ally and accounts for more than half of its total foreign trade.
The U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on North Korea following its test of a nuclear device last year.
Kim Yong Il, a technocrat who became premier earlier this year, ranks below Kim Jong Il and the country's No. 2 official, Kim Young Nam. He is on a four-nation Southeast Asian tour which also includes Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos.
In 2001, Kim Yong Nam visited Cambodia at Sihanouk's invitation.
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