A delegation of Russian lawmakers from the State Duma was scheduled to begin a trip to North Korea on Thursday to strengthen inter-parliamentary ties.

The group is set to hold meetings with the leadership of the DPRK’s Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) over the coming days.

According to the official DumaTV website, meetings are also scheduled between members of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea Central Committee (WPK CC) and delegation leader Sergey Neverov, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federal Assembly’s lower house.

The trip follows an extended visit by members of Russia’s Federation Council (upper house)