North Korea's new top diplomat is likely to attend a major regional conference scheduled for early August in Myanmar, a diplomatic source in Seoul said Sunday, raising speculation of possible inter-Korean contact.

Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong, who assumed his post in April, is fine-tuning the details of his attendance at the ASEAN Regional Forum, which will be held in Myanmar's capital of Naypyidaw on Aug. 9-10, as well as for a visit afterwards to Indonesia, according to the source.

Ri may also visit Vietnam and Laos before going to Myanmar, the source said.

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se is also set to attend the forum aimed at fostering dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region.

 This year's ARF comes amid nagging threats from North Korea's nuclear weapons ambitions and growing territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas.

 Ri is likely to arrive in Myanmar on Aug. 9 and attend the meeting the next day, before leaving for Indonesia on Aug. 11, the source added.
(Yonhap)