North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, right, is seen at Beijing Capital International Airport on Saturday. Yonhap

North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui headed to Russia on Saturday, in an apparent bid to reaffirm ties between Pyongyang and Moscow and win support amid ongoing efforts to hold talks with Washington.

Choe took an Aeroflot flight from Beijing to Moscow, after completing her two-day trip in China.

She briefly told reporters that the purpose of the visit is to hold a trilateral dialogue with China and Russia.

Senior NK diplomat to hold bilateral, trilateral talks with Russian, Chinese officials in Moscow 2018-10-06 23:57  |  North Korea
Pundits said the visit is apparently aimed at reaffirming ties with allies, especially amid U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's planned visit to Pyongyang on Sunday.

North Korea's state media earlier reported that Choe was set to meet with Chinese officials in Beijing before flying to Russia for the trilateral talks.

During her stay in Russia, pundits said Choe is expected to focus on earning Russia's support on easing sanctions, and set details of a possible visit to Moscow by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (Yonhap)