New york: A North Korean vice foreign minister has engaged in discussions with Cuba's top diplomat to explore bilateral relations on the sidelines of the ongoing U.N. General Assembly in New York, as reported by news outlets and an online feed on Monday. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla's X account and foreign news sources on Sunday (local time) revealed his meeting with North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong in New York.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the discussions centered on the friendship and solidarity between North Korea and Cuba, emphasizing the historical ties between their parties and governments. Rodriguez shared images of the meeting, including a handshake with Kim and a conversation over a coffee table. Kim's presence in New York for the U.N. General Assembly marks North Korea's first high-level attendance at the U.N. event in seven years.

The meeting between Kim and Rodriguez represents the first reported high-level interaction between the two nations since South Korea established official diplomatic relations with Cuba in February of the previous year. This development was perceived as a setback for North Korea, which has historically maintained close ties with the communist nation.

In addition to discussions with Cuba, Kim also met with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Eduardo Gil Pinto and Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada in New York, as reported by news sources. Both Venezuela and Nicaragua are among the Central and South American countries known for their friendly relations with Pyongyang.

The North Korean vice foreign minister is expected to deliver a speech on Monday (local time), the final day of the general debate, marking the first address at the General Assembly by a North Korean official directly dispatched from Pyongyang in seven years.