SINGAPORE - Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will be making an official visit to North Korea from Thursday (June 7) to Friday.

The official visit is at the invitation of Dr Balakrishnan's counterpart, Mr Ri Yong Ho, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Wednesday.

During the visit, Dr Balakrishnan will also call on the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Mr Kim Yong Nam, the country's ceremonial head of state.

Dr Balakrishnan will be accompanied by MFA officials during the trip, the statement added.

This is not the first official visit to North Korea made by a Singaporean official.

In 2008, Mr George Yeo, then Foreign Minister, made a five-day official visit to North Korea. He toured Kaesong City and Nampo Port during the trip, on invitation from his North Korean counterpart Pak Ui Chun.

Then, Mr Yeo was accompanied by Mrs Yeo and senior officials from MFA, as well as a business delegation.