The Cambodian government says it will sign a cooperation agreement on investment and transportation with North Korea early next month.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong says the agreement will be signed during North Korean Prime Minister Kim Yong-il's visit to Phnom Penh starting Thursday.

The two countries maintain favorable ties which began with the friendship of late North Korean founder Kim Il-sung and former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk. Sihanouk visited Pyongyang late last year for a lengthy stay.