Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, at the end of his rare visit to North Korea late last month, encouraged the North to let its people "live free" and
emulate Mongolia's model of transformation, saying, "No tyranny lasts forever," according to a transcript of Elbegdorj's speech on Friday.  

Elbegdorj gave the speech at the Kim Il Sung University on Oct. 31 or before wrapping up his four-day visit to North Korea, the Mongolian leader's office said in the transcript. It marked the first visit by a head of state to North Korea since the North's leader Kim Jong-un took power in late 2011 upon the death of his father, Kim Jong-il.

"No tyranny lasts forever. It is the desire of the people to live free that is the eternal power," Elbegdorj said, according to the English-language transcript.

"I believe in the power of freedom. Freedom is an asset bestowed upon every single man and woman. Freedom enables every human to discover and realize his or her opportunities and chances for development," he said. "Free people look for solutions in themselves."

"Strengthening a free society and transitioning to it is not easy. It is a daily task, a grueling mundane routine to clean our free society from ills and dirts, just like parents change the diapers of their babies every morning," he said.

The visit by Elbegdorj spawned speculation that he could hold a summit with the North's young leader, in what would be his debut on the summit diplomacy stage, but such a meeting did not appear to have taken place.

Kim, who is believed to be in his late 20s, has been tightening his grip on power and conducted his country's third nuclear test in February of this year, drawing condemnation and sanctions from the international community, including China.

North Korea is becoming increasingly isolated within the international community as it continues to defy international warnings against its nuclear and missile programs. In April this year, Pyongyang asked Ulan Bator for food aid.

Activists said North Korea, one of the world's most reclusive and repressive nations, is holding hundreds of thousands of political prisoners in at least six facilities where they face extrajudicial executions, torture and forced labor. Pyongyang has

flatly denied the accusations, calling them a U.S.-led attempt to topple the regime.

Calling Kim "a young man," Elbegdorj voiced hope that the North Korean students at the university would "have all what it takes to lead the (North) Korean people to a happy and prosperous future."

During the speech, Elbegdorj also urged North Korea to embrace Mongolia's economic transformation.   

In the "notes" part of the transcript, the Mongolian presidential office said, "No questions were asked, but the audience of professors and students offered a lengthy applause until the president left the audience." (YONHAP)