N. Korea premier leaves for China

SEOUL – North Korea’s prime minister left Monday for China, Pyongyang’s official news agency said, just weeks after leader Kim Jong-Il made his latest trip to the North’s closest ally.

Prime Minister Choe Yong-Rim left to pay “an official goodwill visit” at the invitation of his counterpart Wen Jiabao, the agency said without giving further details.

Choe, who formerly headed the Pyongyang branch of the ruling communist party, took over as premier in June 2010. He is said to be close to Kim Jong-Un, son and heir apparent of the leader.

Choe visited northeast China in November last year and reportedly toured electronics and pharmaceutical companies.

Leader Kim returned home last month from his fourth visit in 16 months to China, the North’s sole major ally and top trade partner.

Economic ties with China have grown increasingly important since South Korea froze most contacts with its neighbour.

Last week the nuclear envoys of the two Koreas held a second round of talks designed to pave the way for a resumption of six-nation negotiations on the North’s nuclear programme.