North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong may attend this year's annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, the first move in 18 years by a North Korean top diplomat, sources said Monday.

A North Korean delegation to be headed by Ri may attend the so-called Davos forum to be held in Switzerland from Jan. 20-23, according to sources. The North is discussing the details over with the host, they said.

If confirmed, it would be the first time in 18 years that a North Korean foreign minister was to join the forum.

It is not known why the North would send Ri to the forum, but experts said that the North may use the forum to promote its economic and investment policies ahead of the North's key party event.

The Workers' Party of Korea plans to hold the first congress in more than three decades in May when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may unveil new policy lines or conduct a major reshuffle.

In his New Year's address, Kim focused on the improvement of the livelihood of North Koreans, signaling that boosting the moribund economy will be a policy priority. (Yonhap)