The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday threw cold water on a North Korean request for a meeting between the head of its legislature and Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh or, alternatively, to host the premier in Pyongyang.

According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Chum Sounry, during a meeting with Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, outgoing North Korean Ambassador Hong Ki Chol had suggested that the head of the hermit Kingdom’s Supreme People’s Assembly could meet with Hun Sen, only to be gently rebuffed.

“Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told the North Korean ambassador that Samdech Hun Sen is busy with other meetings and visits, and does not have time to receive him or make a visit to North Korea,” Sounry said.

Details of a separate planned visit by the North Korean minister of foreign affairs will be discussed “at a later date”, he added.