Prime Minister Choe Yong-Rim will soon pay "an official goodwill visit" at the invitation of his counterpart Wen Jiabao, the agency said without giving further details or a date.

Choe, who formerly headed the Pyongyang branch of the ruling communist party, took over as premier in June 2010. He is said to be close to Kim Jong-Un, son and heir apparent of the leader.

Leader Kim returned home last month from his fourth visit in 16 months to China, the North's sole major ally and top trade partner.

Economic ties with China have grown increasingly important since South Korea froze most contacts with its neighbour. It accuses the North of torpedoing a warship in March 2010 with the loss of 46 lives.

Choe visited northeast China in November last year and reportedly toured electronics and pharmaceutical companies.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011