Australia’s Ambassador to South Korea, William Paterson, recently visited North Korea on a four day trip between June 20 and June 24, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The visit, according to representatives from the Australian Embassy in Seoul, was to meet with officials and to monitor the implementation of Australia’s humanitarian aid contribution to the World Food Programme (WFP).

“Officials informed the Australian side of the DPRK government’s principled stand on bolstering up bilateral friendly ties in politics, economy, culture and other fields—whatever the situation—under the ideal of independence, peace and friendship,” KCNA reported on Monday.

KCNA