North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised outgoing Chinese Ambassador Li Jinjun for helping to improve relations between Pyongyang and Beijing, state media reported Thursday, as the envoy left office after seven years in the post.
Kim's comments were conveyed to Li by Choe Ryong Hae, a top official in the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, state news agency KCNA said. Li also met with North Korean premier Kim Tok Hun, KCNA reported.
"Kim Jong Un highly praised the ambassador for successfully assisting several DPRK-China summit meetings over the past seven years, making much effort to develop the friendly relations between the two parties and the two countries and sharing bitters and sweets with the Korean people," Choe told Li, referring to North Korea using the initials of its official name.