YANGON - MYANMAR and North Korea signed a deal on visa exemptions for diplomats and officials, state media said on Tuesday, as the reclusive states continued to rebuild ties after a quarter-century rift.

The agreement was signed by Myanmar's deputy foreign minister Kyaw Thu and his counterpart Kim Yong Il in the capital Naypyidaw on Sunday during a five-day visit by a Korean delegation, the New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

'They cordially discussed and exchanged views on consular matters and development of the two nations, cooperation in trade, economy and technology and further cementing friendly relations between the two countries', the paper said.

Military-ruled Myanmar and hardline communist North Korea, which are both severely criticised internationally for rights abuses, agreed in April 2007 to restore relations.

Myanmar's foreign minister Nyan Win visited Pyongyang and held talks with his counterpart Pak Ui Chun last month.

Myanmar severed ties with Pyongyang in 1983 following a failed assassination attempt by North Korean agents on then-South Korean president Chun Doo Hwan during his visit to the South-east Asian nation.

The bombing killed 17 of Chun's entourage including cabinet ministers while four Myanmar officials also died.

Myanmar, which has been ruled by generals since 1962, and North Korea have been branded 'outposts of tyranny' by the United States, which imposes sanctions on both. -- AFP