North Korean ruling party’s senior official met with Raul Castro, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, in Cuba on Thursday, and delivered a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to media reports.

According to Cuba’s state-run broadcaster, Ri Su-yong, a vice chairman of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Committee, and Castro confirmed traditional ties and friendship between the governments, parties and people during a meeting. 

During the meeting, Ri delivered to Castro a letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The content of the message was not revealed. 

Headed by Ri, the North Korean delegation departed for Cuba Tuesday to strengthen links between Pyongyang and Havana, according to North Korea’s Central News Agency. It is reported that the delegation will stay in Cuba through Monday.

Ri’s visit to Cuba comes as North Korea engages in a flurry of diplomatic overtures.

In Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel was elected the country’s new president in April to succeed Raul Castro. Shortly after Diaz-Canel’s election, North Korean leader Kim sent a congratulatory message to the newly elected leader, who later sent a reply voicing his wish to strengthen bilateral ties.

North Korea and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1960, shortly after the Cuban revolution. Since then, they have maintained a close relationship in various sectors including diplomacy, culture, trade and agriculture.

In November last year, North Korea’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho made a visit to Cuba at the height of the international community’s pressure on North Korea in response to the country‘s repeated nuclear and missile provocations.

Late Cuban leader Fidel Castro visited Pyongyang in 1986 and met with Kim Il-sung, founder of North Korea, and his son and late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who is Kim Jong-un’s father.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)