Russia has expressed hope that North Korea will continue to observe agreements on its nuclear program and on joint projects with Russia and South Korea in the wake of Kim Jong-il’s death.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Thursday that Russia hopes the North will fulfill obligations under accords it has signed.

Lukashevich said recent media reports explain that the situation in the North is peaceful. He added that his country hopes conditions on the Korean Peninsula will remain stable and predictable.