Choe Ryong-hae, a senior North Korean official visiting Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympics, has met with Interim Brazilian President Michel Temer, a report said Sunday.

Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency also said Choe, vice chairman of the State Affairs Commission, has met with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer.

According to the report, Choe, serving as the head of a high-level North Korean delegation to the Rio Games, met with Temer on Friday.

Choe expressed the North's willingness to "develop friendly and cooperative relations with Brazil," the report said.

In response, Temer told Choe that Brazil will also boost its relations with North Korea.

The two countries established diplomatic ties in 2001.

Separately, Choe has met with the heads of state of Switzerland and San Marino, and the vice presidents of Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Zambia.

The KCNA said Choe met with Bach and Vizer Thursday.

It said Bach "expressed deep thanks" to the North Korean leadership for sending a high-level delegation to Rio.
Choe Ryong-hae (second from left) speaks with North Korean officials while attending the judo competition at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics at Carioca Arena 2 on Aug. 6.(Yonhap)Bach also noted the North Korean government's efforts to develop sports and that the IOC hopes to boost cooperative relations with the country.

Vizer said the presence of Choe's delegation reflects the country's willingness to develop sports and improve ties through athletics.

Seoul's unification ministry on Monday said Choe's move reflects North Korea's efforts to utilize sports diplomacy as it seeks to break away from international isolation due to its nuclear and missile development programs.

"North Korea has limited choices in the face of the sanctions regime," said Jeong Joon-hee, ministry spokesman, at a regular press briefing. "The North seems to use sports in a bid to show that it is a normal country and improve its external image."

A local expert said that North Korea's move is not likely to produce intended results over its image.

"Choe does not appear to be meeting with officials from major powers, such as China and Russia," said Kim Yong-hyun, a professor of North Korean studies at Seoul's Dongguk University.

"Though the North seeks (sports diplomacy), it would be difficult to anticipate an immediate impact on its external image and relations." (Yonhap)