OREANDA-NEWS. August 23, 2012. Primorye seeks to strengthen the relations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. That was reported by acting first vice governor Sergey SIDOROV during the meeting with director of the third Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the DPRK Mr. Im Jong-il.

In the course of this meeting both sides discussed strengthening of economic cooperation in the sphere of tourism, fishing industry, forestry and metallurgical industries. It was noted that in 2011 commodity turnover between Primorsky Krai and the DPRK had increased by 40.2% in comparison with 2010 and made up 12,900,000 US dollars. Exports from Primorye to North Korea was increased 2.3 times up to 9,900,000 US dollars due to increase in delivery of fish and seafood, vessels, oil and petrochemical products.  

It was noted that use of Korean workers in the spheres of construction and agriculture was the main form for cooperation between Primorye and the DPRK. According to Sergey SIDOROV, such tendency is directly related to a high capacity for work, as well as law-abiding citizens of the DPRK. "This is a disciplined and hard-working people", acting first vice governor noted.

Both sides agreed to cooperate actively in the framework of the bilateral working group on trade and economic cooperation of the Primorsky Krai Administration and the DPRK Committee for the Promotion of International Trade with the purpose of the development of bilateral economic relations. "Our task is to widen and strengthen relationships between Primorsky Krai and North Korea", Sergey SIDOROV said.