Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he will soon visit North Korea to meet with the country's leader Kim Jong Un, with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties in fields such as military and economic cooperation.

Maduro made the announcement on a TV program aired on Wednesday. He praised North Korea, describing it as a country that has long endured unfair pressure by superpowers.

The planned visit is seen as part of Maduro's bid to promote diplomatic ties with countries that are at odds with the United States over Venezuela's leadership. These include Russia and Turkey.

The administration of US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping economic sanctions against Maduro's government in August.

The Trump administration is backing the Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaido, who heads the national assembly and has declared himself interim president.

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