PYONGYANG - A former vice foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been appointed as new ambassador to Russia.

The appointment of Kim Hyong-jun was announced in a decree issued by the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, the official KCNA news agency reported on Thursday.

Kim, 65, acted as ambassador to Middle East countries including Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait and Jordan in 2000s, during which he helped increase the DPRK's foreign trade income by encouraging exports of labor forces to the region.

The new ambassador will replace Kim Yong Jae, who has been holding the position since 2006.