Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez says he will travel to North Korea

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez said that he will make a trip to North Korea to make some bilateral agreements on technology and science matters.

Photo: Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez says he will travel to North Korea

Chavez made the declaration at the end of a two-day trip to Panama that finished Friday. He did not specify when he would travel or what the agreements would be.

"This is not a secret trip," Chavez told reporters.

The elected Chavez is a fierce critic of the United States and an admirer of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

The Venezuelan government recently bought 100,000 Russian-made AK-103 assault rifles and a license from Moscow to make Kalashnikovs and ammunition. Chavez has said the nation needs the weapons to defend itself against a possible U.S. invasion.

North Korea's reclusive communist government counts Russia and China as major allies. It has made recent moves that would enable it to launch a long-range missile, drawing the concern of its neighbors and the United States, reports AP.

O.Ch.