North Korea signed the UN’' treaty to combat greenhouse gas emissions last April.

According to the Choson Sinbo based in Japan, Pyongyang inked the Kyoto Protocol in order to join the efforts of the international community in addressing global concerns about greenhouse gases.

The paper added that the specific activities the North has performed in reducing greenhouse gases have not yet been specified.

The Choson Sinbo is the media organ of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, which is North Korea's de facto embassy in Tokyo.

Following the news, Seoul's Unification Ministry said it is an indication that the communist nation has begun showing interest in environmental issues.

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement which sets emission targets for developed countries by 2012, claiming excess emissions would hurt their economies.