North Korea says its foreign minister Choe Son Hui has left for Russia on an official three-day visit.

Monday's edition of the Rodong Sinmun, the ruling Workers' Party newspaper, reported that the North Korean delegation headed by Choe left Pyongyang International Airport on Sunday.

The paper also said the delegation will stay in Russia from Monday through Wednesday at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The move came as the two countries draw mounting criticism from the United States and European countries over the allegation that Russia has used missiles transferred from North Korea in its attacks against Ukraine.

During Lavrov's visit to North Korea in October, the two ministers signed a plan for exchanges between their foreign ministries in 2024 and 2025.

In the face of growing criticism from the West, the two countries are expected to emphasize their intentions to further strengthen collaboration.

The ministers may also discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un invited Putin to visit his country during their summit in Russia's Far East in September.

In his address at the end of last year, Kim made it clear that his country will further boost ties with countries opposed to the United States and European countries.