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DPRKon Monday began a three-day mourning period to pay tribute to former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Pyongyang's state media said.
The decision was made by the ruling party's central committee, the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and the Cabinet on Sunday, according to the Rodong Sinmun, the Workers' Party of Korea's official newspaper. They have decided to "hoist flags at half-mast at major organizations and designated places," for the Cuban revolutionary leader who died at age 90 on Friday.
Its leader Kim Jong-un offered his "deep" condolences for Castro's death, calling him "the close friend and comrade" of DPRKs to strengthen the friendly relations between the two nations, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Sunday.
DPRKand Cuba have long maintained close ties since they established their diplomatic relationship in 1960.
Castro visited the North in March 1986 at the invitation of late former DPRKleader Kim Il-sung, the grandfather of the incumbent leader.
The KCNA said Monday that Castro met with the North's founder and his son Kim Jong-il during the visit. It reported both nations agreed to "deepen the militant friendship and friendly and cooperative relations" in their anti-U.S. and anti-imperialist struggles.
Castro ruled Cuba for more than five decades, before handing over his power to younger brother Raul Castro in 2008 due to health problems.
Havana has recently improved relations with Washington. They agreed in December 2014 to normalize their diplomatic ties which were severed in 1961. South Korea does not have diplomatic ties with Cuba.
Experts said that DPRK's declaration of the mourning period appears aimed at showing off its close ties with Cuba. But they added that the two countries' relationship may not be as good as it used to be as the first generation of revolutionary leaders have passed away.
DPRKis seeking to maintain its relations with Cuba at a time when it struggles with deepening international isolation amid tougher sanctions imposed due to its nuclear and missile programs.
Cuba is one of a handful of countries with friendly ties with DPRK.
(YONHAP)
