Pyongyang: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is set to visit North Korea later this week, as reported by North Korea's state media on Wednesday. Lavrov's visit, scheduled from Friday to Sunday, comes at the invitation of the North Korean foreign ministry, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency, which did not disclose additional details about the agenda.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lavrov is anticipated to meet with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and is expected to pay a courtesy call on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The discussions are likely to focus on Kim's prospective visit to Russia, following an invitation extended by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Pyongyang in June of the previous year.

Lavrov's upcoming visit marks his second trip to North Korea since June last year when he accompanied President Putin to Pyongyang. This visit underscores the increasing cooperation and exchanges between Russia and North Korea, which have intensified over the past year. The two nations signed a mutual defense treaty in June in Pyongyang, further solidifying their bilateral relationship.