Choe Son Hui, director-general of the foreign ministry's North American affairs bureau, landed at an airport in Vladivostok, in Russia's Far East, on Monday.
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Her itinerary and the purpose of the trip have not been announced. But diplomatic sources say she is expected to meet a Russian senior official to discuss the situation in the Korean Peninsula.
Choe exchanged views on the issue with the Russian ambassador in Pyongyang last Monday. North Korea's state-run media also reported last week that the ambassador and embassy officials visited Mount Paektu, which is regarded as sacred in the North.
The Russian government is critical of North Korea's nuclear and missile development, but also insists that dialogue is important in solving the issue.
North Korea is apparently trying to approach Russia as the administration of US President Donald Trump is ratcheting up pressure on the North.