Senior N.K. official returns home after Cuba trip

SEOUL, July 11 (Yonhap) -- A senior North Korean official has returned home from a trip to Cuba aimed at solidifying their bilateral relations, according to the North's media Wednesday.

Ri Su-yong, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and other North Korean party officials left from Havana on Monday, the Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported.

Ri, who embarked on his Cuba trip early last week, was the first high-ranking North Korean official who has visited the island country since Miguel Diaz-Canel was selected new president in April to succeed Raul Castro.

During the stay there, he delivered North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's personal messages both to Diaz-Canel and Castro.

On Tuesday, the North's media reported that Ri and Diaz-Canel discussed "further developing the traditional ties between the two parties and two countries" in a friendly atmosphere.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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