Pyongyang: High-ranking officials from Russia, China, and Vietnam have arrived in North Korea, foreign media reports said Thursday, ahead of the 80th founding anniversary of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a Russian delegation led by Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has arrived in Pyongyang to attend celebrations marking the key party anniversary, Russia’s Tass news agency said.
In a separate report, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) mentioned that a delegation led by Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam arrived in Pyongyang earlier in the day. Lam’s state visit, which marks the first visit to North Korea by Vietnam’s top leader since 2007, also comes as the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year, the VNA said.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang also arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday, as reported by China’s Xinhua News Agency. Li made the trip to attend celebrations marking the 80th anniversary and pay an official goodwill visit to North Korea. Xinhua added that the Chinese official noted how the two countries have enjoyed a “profound traditional friendship” as socialist neighbors.
China’s foreign ministry earlier announced that Li will pay an official visit to North Korea from Thursday to Saturday, leading a party and government delegation. North Korea, which celebrates the party founding anniversary on Oct. 10 each year, is widely expected to stage a large-scale military parade marking the date as early as Thursday, according to sources.