Mongolian president to visit North Korera

SEOUL - Mongolia's president will visit Pyongyang next week, becoming the first head of state to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un since he came to power nearly two years ago.

A spokesman for Mongolia's foreign ministry in Ulan Bator said President Tsakhia Elbegdorj would visit North Korea from October 28.

He declined to provide any other details of the trip.

Increasingly isolated within the international community over its nuclear programme, the impoverished North had asked Mongolia in April to help provide food aid.

In November last year, Japan and North Korea had senior-level talks in the Mongolian capital about the issue of North Korea's abduction of Japanese nationals, and Japanese media reported that Elbegdorj might raise the issue during his visit.

The president's trip marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Mongolia was the second country to formally recognise North Korea after the Soviet Union.

Kim Jong-Un took over the reins of power in North Korea following the death of his father, Kim Jong-Il, in December 2011.

His highest-ranking foreign visitor to date was Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao who attended celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in July.