North Korea’s vice foreign minister said Saturday that he was “satisfied” with his trip to Myanmar, which culminated in the two repressive regimes resuming diplomatic relations.

Myanmar severed diplomatic relations with North Korea in 1983 after North Korean commandos were blamed for a fatal bombing during a former South Korean president’s visit to Yangon.

The two countries signed an agreement to restore ties Thursday, the second day of the four-day visit by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong Il, whose trip had been cloaked in secrecy.

“We had a wonderful visit. I am satisfied,” Kim Yong Il told reporters.

Asked if North Korea will open its embassy in Myanmar, Kim replied, “Let us see.”

Relations between the two countries were severed following the bombing that targeted former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan. He was unhurt, but 21 people were killed, including four South Korean Cabinet ministers.

Three North Korean commandos involved in the bombing were detained one was hanged, a second blew himself up during his arrest and a third, Kang Ming Chul, remains in Yangon’s Insein prison.

The two countries have been quietly working to normalize relations for the past few years. The two governments routinely have contact at regional meetings, and Myanmar has reportedly bought weapons from North Korea.

Both Myanmar and North Korea have been widely criticized for their authoritarian governments, with Myanmar drawing censure for its detention of political opponents, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.

North Korea has drawn international condemnation for its refusal to abandon its nuclear weapons program.

In 2005, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice listed Myanmar and North Korea as among six countries that were “outposts of tyranny.”

The United States has said the resumption of ties will not alter U.S. foreign policy.