North Korea and Russia agreed to expand economic cooperation in large-scale projects such as coal, railroad, and transportation. North Korean Ambassador to Russia Kim Yong-jae made the announcement to Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency.

The North plans to expand joint ventures with Russia in the ongoing modernization drive in the Rajin-Sonbong region and other large-scale projects, it quoted Kim as saying last Friday.

Currently, Russian engineers are refitting facilities at Rajin Port as a container terminal. Russia is also reportedly considering exporting refined crude oil produced in its Far Eastern region through the port.