Ri Song Soo Chol, director of the Institute of Economics of the DPRK Academy of Social Sciences, told Rossiyskaya Gazeta that North Korea considers cooperation with Russia in the economy and other spheres very important for itself and is determined to intensify it. He added that at the same time Pyongyang is ready to resume its participation in major tripartite projects involving the Russian Federation, North Korea and South Korea.

The expert, commenting on the situation in relations between Moscow and Pyongyang, said: "We attach great importance to relations with Russia, including in the sphere of economy, and would like to intensify bilateral cooperation". Ree said, as a goal to be pursued, "the achievement of those volumes of bilateral trade that were in the days of the Soviet Union".

The economist also indicated Pyongyang's readiness to resume work on the implementation of major tripartite projects involving Russia, North and South Korea. He explained:

"We are also ready to cooperate in the most active way in the implementation of tripartite projects involving the DPRK, the Russian Federation and South Korea. It is about connecting the railways of the two Koreas and accessing the Trans-Siberian Railway, creating an energy bridge from Russia to South Korea through the DPRK and laying the gas pipeline. We believe that such projects will not only have a great economic impact, but will also significantly enhance peace and security in Northeast Asia, will make the region more stable and peaceful ".