General Secretary To Lam’s upcoming visit to North Korea signals a strategic elevation in bilateral ties and marks a new chapter in Vietnam-DPRK relations.
On October 9, General Secretary To Lam will depart for a state visit to North Korea and attend the celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea, at the invitation of General Secretary and President of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, Kim Jong Un.
On August 12, 2024, General Secretary and President To Lam received North Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Ri Sung Guk, who presented his credentials. Photo: VNA
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized that this visit holds significant and special meaning. It will be General Secretary To Lam’s first visit to North Korea in his current role, and the first state-level visit by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to North Korea in 18 years.
The visit coincides with the two countries’ commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1950-2025) and the Vietnam - North Korea Friendship Year 2025, reflecting the commitment of both parties and governments to their longstanding traditional friendship.
Deputy Minister Vu highlighted three key meanings and objectives of the visit.
Firstly, it reaffirms Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of valuing relationships with traditional friends. North Korea was one of the first countries in the world to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1950.
This traditional friendship was cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kim Il Sung, and sustained by successive generations of leaders. During Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation, North Korea stood side by side and provided valuable support. Vietnam has also consistently supported and stood in solidarity with North Korea in challenging times.
This visit presents a vital opportunity for the top leaders of both parties and countries to discuss and agree on strategic orientations to inherit and further develop the traditional friendship between the two nations.
Additionally, the visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the new era, in alignment with relevant international regulations and the aspirations of both peoples, especially in fields such as healthcare, culture, sports, people-to-people exchange, and agricultural collaboration.
Vietnamese Ambassador to North Korea Le Ba Vinh and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui (center) attended the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations at the Vietnamese Embassy in North Korea in March this year. Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in North Korea
As an active and responsible member of the international community, through this visit, Vietnam continues to express its consistent support for peaceful trends, efforts, and contributions toward stability and development on the Korean Peninsula, in the region, and globally.
"I firmly believe that the state visit by General Secretary To Lam and the high-level Vietnamese delegation will serve as a milestone, enhancing the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation between the two parties and countries. This visit meets the aspirations of both peoples and contributes to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world," Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu stated.
The bilateral relationship has remained steady in recent years, despite objective challenges from international and regional developments. The enduring traditional friendship and mutual desire for cooperation have led to meaningful progress in Vietnam - North Korea relations.
Both sides have maintained high-level exchanges, including the historic official friendly visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President Kim Jong Un in March 2019.
In recent times, senior leaders of both countries have kept in contact through flexible formats, such as exchanging letters and messages during significant events, thereby reinforcing mutual trust and political solidarity.
North Korean athletes performed Taekwondo during a Vietnam - North Korea martial arts exchange program celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations in April. Photo: VNA
Vietnam and North Korea have signed various bilateral agreements in culture, healthcare, civil aviation, judicial assistance, investment promotion and protection, and double taxation avoidance. They have also sustained mechanisms like deputy foreign minister-level political consultations and the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, based on each country’s needs and in accordance with international norms.
Cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange remain bright spots in the friendship, with diverse activities including art and cultural delegations, sports exchanges, annual spring art festivals, and Pyongyang international film festivals.
People’s organizations from both countries continue to engage in friendship activities, especially within the framework of the Vietnam - North Korea Friendship Year 2025, commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations. These efforts help deepen the understanding, especially among the younger generations, of the strong and friendly bond between the two nations.
The Deputy Minister affirmed that with such positive cooperation outcomes and the goodwill and efforts from both sides, this historic visit will yield new results for bilateral ties. It is also a valuable occasion for both nations to have sincere, open discussions on international and regional matters of mutual interest, contributing responsibly and constructively to promoting dialogue and maintaining peace, cooperation, and development on the Korean Peninsula, in the region, and globally.
Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
.svg){kind=icon}
