Soviet-era allies Mongolia and North Korea renew embrace
Mongolian president's visit to North Korea raises possibility of greater trade co-operation between the two, both heavily dependent on China
North Korea and Mongolia have signed a series of agreements to raise co-operation in a move that could help ease the two former Soviet allies' economic reliance on China.
The agreements were signed when Mongolian president Tsakhia Elbegdorj arrived in Pyongyang to become the first head of state to visit since Kim Jong-un became supreme leader in December 2011.
The accords covered industry, agriculture, sports, culture and tourism, the official Korean Central News Agency said, without providing details.
"North Korea and Mongolia are particularly reliant on China," Charles Krusekopf, head of the American Centre for Mongolian Studies, said.
"Mongolia is looking for outlets to the sea to export minerals, coal and energy resources. There are a lot of people talking about potential for Mongolian resources to be shipped through North Korea."
North Korea has been reaching out to friendly nations such as Mongolia and Indonesia as international sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme have hurt the economy.
In June, HBOil, an oil trading and refining company in Ulan Bator, said it acquired a 20 per cent stake in the Sungri refinery in North Korea's northeastern free trade zone of Rason.