N. Korea's Vice FM Leaves for New York to Attend U.N. General Assembly

North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister, Kim Son-gyong, has begun his journey to New York for the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly. This trip signifies North Korea's ongoing engagement in international diplomacy, as reported by state media.

Kim's delegation left Pyongyang on Tuesday, although specific details about his itinerary remain undisclosed. He is scheduled to address the assembly on the final day of the General Debate, where member states present their positions on key global issues.

During last year's assembly, Kim reiterated North Korea's commitment to its nuclear arsenal, a stance that has drawn significant international attention. This year's participation marks a notable return for North Korea, which had not sent any minister-level officials to the U.N. for six years following the unsuccessful 2019 summit between Kim Jong-un and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

In the past, North Korean representatives like former Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong and his successor Ri Yong-ho attended the assembly, but recent years have seen a shift in representation, with the North Korean Ambassador to the U.N. stepping in during the absence of higher officials. Kim Son-gyong's attendance could signal a renewed effort by North Korea to assert its presence on the global diplomatic stage.