North Korea's state-run news agency has launched a new section on its website dedicated to the country's ties with Russia. The move is seen as part of an effort to create an atmosphere for a possible visit to North Korea by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA, recently launched a section entitled "DPRK-Russia Friendly Relations in Period of Historic Turn." DPRK stands for North Korea's official name -- the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The new page carries articles dating back to 2019, when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held his first summit with Putin.
A South Korean Unification Ministry source says it is extremely rare for KCNA to set up a web section specializing in the North's relations with a specific foreign country.
For example, North Korea also has close ties with China but KCNA's website has no segment on the countries' relationship.
North Korea and Russia have been increasing dispatches of government officials and other delegations to each other. Russia's foreign intelligence agency chief Sergei Naryshkin, an aide to Putin, visited North Korea last month. Observers say Putin may also travel to the country.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency has reported that KCNA's move suggests the time is considered right for Putin to make a trip to North Korea.