Post by : Rameen Ariff

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief, To Lam, is set to visit North Korea this week, marking the first visit by a Vietnamese leader to the reclusive nation in nearly two decades. The three-day trip, scheduled to begin on Thursday, was confirmed by both the Vietnamese government and North Korean state media. The visit coincides with a major military parade in Pyongyang on Friday, celebrating 80 years since the founding of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party.

The Vietnamese delegation will include Defense Minister Phan Van Giang, according to a Vietnamese official. Lam’s visit follows an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, highlighting the close diplomatic ties between the two communist countries. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and North Korea, although trade relations remain limited, as noted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Pyongyang.

This historic visit is the first by a Vietnamese party chief since Nong Duc Manh visited North Korea in 2007, and the first in nearly 20 years since the late President Ho Chi Minh traveled to the country in 1957. In recent years, several lower-ranking officials from both countries have met either in Hanoi or Pyongyang, with meetings resuming last year after a five-year pause.

Lam’s visit comes shortly after his trip to South Korea in August, where he was the first foreign leader hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung since Lee assumed office in June. South Korea and North Korea have historically tense relations, but Lee has pledged efforts to reduce tensions with its northern neighbor.

The visit also comes ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled from October 29 in Gyeongju, South Korea. The summit will host leaders from 21 member economies, including major powers China and the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit South Korea around the time of the summit and is anticipated to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The high-profile nature of To Lam’s visit signals the strengthening of diplomatic and strategic ties between Vietnam and North Korea while highlighting Vietnam’s active engagement in regional affairs, maintaining a balance between the North and South Korean relations, and participating in key international summits.

This visit also provides an opportunity for both nations to reaffirm their historic ties, engage in dialogue on regional security, and explore future cooperation in political, economic, and cultural spheres.

#world news #Global News