U.S., DPRK representatives to meet in Finland "unofficially" : report

Representatives from the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will hold unofficial talks in Helsinky on Sunday, Finnish media reported Saturday.

Finnish commercial television MTV reported that Choe Kang Il, who is responsible for relations with the United States at the DPRK Foreign Ministry, would arrive here for a two-day visit.

Finnish foreign ministry confirmed the visit to the MTV and described it as "unofficial."

Newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reported that Choe would meet Kathleen Stephens, a former U.S. ambassador to South Korea.

Finnish news agency STT reported that the talks would take place at the Japanese Embassy in Helsinki.

Kimmo Lahdevirta, head of the Asia desk at Finnish Foreign Ministry, told the STT that the event in Helsinki would be "academic" and "from the perspective of international relations."

Earlier on Saturday, the Swedish government said DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho concluded his three-day visit to Sweden for talks on the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.