Russian State Duma delegation paid an official visit to North Korea

A delegation of Russian State Duma lawmakers paid an official visit to North Korea from November 27 to December 1 and held a number of meetings with local officials and lawmakers, including Deputy North Korean Foreign Minister Sin Hong Chol and Deputy Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Ri Su Yong, IA Sputnik reports.

Pyongyang has explained its latest missile launch by an alleged US threat, provoking the country to show its military capabilities and to guarantee its own security.

The Russian delegation expressed its position over the latest North Korean ballistic missile launch, condemned the launch and expressed hope that the conflicting sides would be able to remain calm, in order to avoid a worst-case scenario for the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea is ready to hold talks to solve the nuclear crisis without the recognition of its nuclear power status as a pre-condition for the talks. Pyongyang believes that Russia, unlike the United States, can play a substantial role in resolving the situation on the Korean peninsula.

After the visit, Russian lawmakers shared North Korea was ready to hold talks to resolve the crisis. At this Pyongyang also believes that Russia can play a considerable role in this respect and that Moscow alone can guarantee a political settlement.

Russkiy Mir