SEOUL, Nov. 17 - South Korea's Ministry of Unification said Monday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) sent a special envoy to Russia, seemingly with the intention of diversifying its diplomatic relations.

"Our government sees the dispatch of Choe Ryong Hae to Russia as a special envoy as being in an extended line with North Korea ( DPRK)'s attempt to diversify its external relations," Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol told a press briefing.

The DPRK's official KCNA news agency reported last week that top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un plans to send Choe, a member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, to Moscow, without elaborating on the purpose of his trip.

"North Korea (DPRK) seems to be pushing for aggressive diplomacy as the international community's cooperation deepened against North Korea (DPRK) on issues such as the nuclear program and human rights," said Lim. He added that it remains to be seen on specific purpose of Choe's trip and the subsequent results.