A new historical milestone in Vietnam-North Korea relations

At the invitation of General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam paid a State visit to the DPRK and attended the ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea from October 9 to 11.

The inauguration ceremony of 10,000 newly built apartments of the third phase of a plan to build 50,000 houses in Pyongyang, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on April 16, 2025. (Photo: Yonhap/VNA)

This is Comrade To Lam's first visit as General Secretary and the first visit by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to North Korea in 18 years.

The visit took place in the context of the world and regional situation continuing to have many complex and unpredictable developments, with long-term impacts on the security and development environment of countries. Major power relations and the gathering of forces in international relations have undergone many adjustments. The Asia -Pacific and Indian Ocean continue to play an increasingly important role in international political and economic life, and are the focus of competition between major powers.

Since its founding on October 10, 1945, the Workers' Party of Korea has held eight congresses. At the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea held in January 2021, North Korea affirmed its focus on comprehensively developing and expanding foreign relations; persistently applying the principle of "reciprocity" and strengthening solidarity and friendship with countries that respect the sovereignty of North Korea.

Although the country is facing socio-economic difficulties due to siege, embargo and sanctions, North Korea's international position has been continuously strengthened. The North Korean leader recently attended the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism held in China.

North Korea also increased substantive cooperation with China and promoted relations with Russia... In the context of inter-Korean relations, although still tense, still under control, the United States still left open the possibility of dialogue with North Korea.

With the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam paying a State visit to North Korea and attending the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea, Vietnam continues to affirm its importance to the traditional friendship with North Korea.

The traditional friendship between Vietnam and the DPRK, built by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kim Il Sung and nurtured by generations of leaders of the two countries, has been continuously consolidated and developed, especially after the official friendship visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and State President Kim Jong Un in March 2019.

Immediately after reopening the border after the Covid-19 pandemic, North Korea promoted a number of delegation exchanges with Vietnam. The two sides maintained the mechanism of the Vietnam-North Korea Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, most recently the 9th meeting held in 2014 in Hanoi. The two countries also signed many important agreements.

In the 60s and 70s of the last century, North Korea helped Vietnam train hundreds of students. The two countries continued to promote the signing of a cooperation agreement in the field of education. In cultural and sports exchanges, Vietnam sent many delegations to North Korea to attend art festivals, friendship performances, and competitions. Recently, Vietnam invited a delegation of North Korean Taekwondo masters to perform in Vietnam...

Taking place in the context that Vietnam and North Korea are coordinating to implement activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (January 31, 1950 - January 31, 2025) and designate 2025 as the "Vietnam-North Korea Friendship Year", as well as in the context that North Korea is gradually "normalizing foreign affairs" after the Covid-19 pandemic, the State visit of General Secretary To Lam to North Korea and attending the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea continues to affirm Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification of foreign relations, proactive and active international integration comprehensively, deeply and effectively.

With the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam paying a State visit to North Korea and attending the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea, Vietnam continues to affirm its importance to the traditional friendship with North Korea.

Vietnam supports North Korea in developing its economy and improving people's lives. At the same time, it wishes to contribute to dialogue and establishing lasting peace on the Korean peninsula, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

This is also an opportunity to highlight Vietnam's socio-economic achievements and potentials, advantages and opportunities in the new era; affirm Vietnam's determination and efforts in realizing its growth targets and strategic orientations in the new era.

General Secretary To Lam's State visit to North Korea and attendance at the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea is a new historical milestone in the relationship between the two Parties and two countries, contributing to promoting the Vietnam-North Korea relationship to continue to develop to a new height.

The success of the visit will contribute to strengthening and promoting the effectiveness of the cooperation agreements reached between the two countries' senior leaders. Promoting cooperation between the two Parties and two countries in areas consistent with the interests, legal regulations and international commitments of each country will contribute positively to maintaining peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dau-moc-lich-su-moi-trong-quan-he-viet-nam-trieu-tien-post913963.html