North Korea taps ex-trade minister as new envoy to China

North Korea has appointed a former trade minister as the country's new ambassador to China, the Foreign Ministry said Friday, indicating its willingness to bolster economic relations with its most influential ally.It remains to be seen when Ri Ryong Nam, a 60-year-old former deputy premier who is well-versed in economic policy, will be posted, as North Korea has cut off traffic to and from China since early last year amid fears of the novel coronavirus.Ri will replace Ji Jae Ryong, 78, who was tapped as North Korea's ambassador to China in 2010. The new envoy was born in Pyongyang and has a…READ FULL ARTICLE