NORTH KOREA’S foreign minister was expected to meet with his Swedish counterpart yesterday for a second day after making a surprise trip to Stockholm that has fuelled speculation about a possible meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho landed at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport on a direct flight from Beijing late on Thursday and spent several hours at the Swedish Foreign Ministry before returning to the North Korean embassy.

The Swedish foreign ministry has said talks “will focus on Sweden’s consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia” but also will also address the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

A “protecting power” is a country that acts as a liaison between states without formal diplomatic relations.

Mr Ri briefly met Prime Minister Stefan Lofven yesterday. Details about their talks weren’t revealed as the North Korean foreign minister’s visit to Stockholm, where he once served as a diplomat at the embassy, is shrouded in secrecy.