PYONGYANG: Pak Thae-song, recently appointed as North Korea's premier, has commenced his official responsibilities by extending condolences to India following the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This diplomatic gesture, reported by state media on Monday, marks Pak's first official activity since his appointment during the Workers' Party of Korea's annual year-end plenary meeting.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Pak sent a condolence letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing sympathy to Singh's family. This move underscores Pak's emerging role in North Korea's foreign relations and his potential influence on the country's diplomatic strategies. Pak's appointment and subsequent activities were highlighted by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), which emphasized his involvement in both domestic and international affairs.

In addition to his diplomatic outreach, Pak accompanied North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on a visit to a new fish farm in Sinpho, as reported by KCNA. This visit signifies Pak's active participation in national projects and his potential focus on developing North Korea's fisheries sector. The presence of Pak and other high-ranking officials during the visit highlights the importance of such projects in the country's economic strategy.

Pak's previous role as head of the party's propaganda department and his political experience suggest he may take a more public-facing approach than his predecessor, Kim Tok-hun. His involvement in the North Korea-Russia summit at the Vostochny space center last year indicates that he may play a significant role in strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with Russia.