Kim Jong-un's closest aide Jo Yong-won heads to Russia leading delegation

Jo Yong-won, secretary and head of the Organization and Guidance Department of the Korean Workers' Party Central Committee and one of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's closest aides, departed for Russia on Saturday leading a party and government delegation, Kyodo News reported.

Jo left Pyongyang International Airport by air that day at the invitation of Dmitry Medvedev, chairman of United Russia, the ruling party of Russia, according to the report.

The visit is expected to reaffirm the two countries' commitment to strengthening ties through talks with Medvedev, Kyodo said.

However, the specific details of the itinerary were not confirmed.

Jo is widely regarded as the aide who works most closely alongside Kim.

Jo has held posts including member of the Politburo Standing Committee, Workers' Party secretary and member of the Party Central Military Commission. In March, Jo was elected chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly — a position equivalent to the speaker of South Korea's National Assembly — before moving to the role of party organizational secretary three months later in June.

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, Workers' Party International Secretary Kim Song-nam and Russian Ambassador to North Korea Andrei Leonidovich Podyolishev were among those who saw Jo off at Pyongyang International Airport, Kyodo reported.