NK economic mission visiting Italy

A North Korean economic mission led by Jon Sung-Hun, minister of metals and machine-building industry, set out for Italy Saturday, the state-run Central Broadcasting Agency reported. Without referring to the purpose of the delegation`s visit or its itinerary, the news agency said the delegates left Pyongyang by air and were seen off by vice minister Kim Sung-Hyon and other officials. According to the Korea Trade Promotion Corp. (KOTRA), the North Korean delegation is made up of about 10 members, including vice trade minister Kim Bong-Ik, and will hold talks with Italian officials on ways of increasing economic cooperation between the two countries. The stay is expected to last until March 5.

A KOTRA official said the North Korean group also includes officials from Chollima Motor Co. and Eunha Trading Co. The delegation is expected to hold discussions with Italian companies on investing in the North Korean automobile and textile industries and visit the Italian Trade Commission (ITC), he said. North Korea and Italy established ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations in January last year. The two sides signed treaties on investment promotion and protection, economic cooperation and culture and science cooperation during a foreign ministers` meeting in Rome last September.

Kim Young-Sik spear@donga.com