Mongolian Ambassador to North Korea Luvsantseren Erdeneddavaa, left, presents his credentials to Choe Ryong-hae, chairman of the North's Supreme People's Assembly's standing committee, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang, in this file photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, Jan. 29. Yonhap

North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong-ho has met with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh for talks on advancing bilateral ties, state media reported Tuesday.

Their meeting came as a North Korean diplomatic delegation led by Pak departed for the Asian country over the weekend in what marked the first such visit since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. The North last sent a delegation to the country in 2019.

During their meeting on Monday, Pak and Khurelsukh shared views on advancing bilateral ties, and strengthening exchange and cooperation, the North's Korean Central News Agency said.

Pak also met with foreign ministry officials, including Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh, on Sunday to discuss ways to boost mutual support and cooperation, it added.

The latest trip is seen as part of the North's diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties with its traditionally friendly countries.

Mongolia is viewed as having close relations with the North, having maintained its diplomatic mission in Pyongyang even during the pandemic despite strict border restrictions.

In January, Mongolia's new top envoy to Pyongyang, Luvsantseren Erdeneddavaa, submitted his letter of credentials to the North. (Yonhap)