Vice Foreign Ministers of North Korea and Vietnam Meet to Enhance Bilateral Cooperation

Pyongyang: The vice foreign ministers of North Korea and Vietnam convened in Pyongyang to discuss strategies for enhancing cooperation between their nations, North Korea's state media reported. This diplomatic engagement reflects a continued effort to strengthen long-standing relations between the two countries following a period of reduced activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting occurred on Wednesday between North Korea's Pak Sang-gil and Vietnam's Nguyen Minh Vu. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that both parties engaged in comprehensive discussions, reaching a consensus on broadening exchanges and cooperation across multiple sectors. The dialogue was aimed at elevating the historical friendship between North Korea and Vietnam to new heights. Pak Sang-gil's recent diplomatic activities included a visit to Vietnam in September, part of a broader tour encompassing Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia. These visits signify North Korea's renewed focus on dipl omatic relations with its traditional allies in the region. In a related development, North Korea appointed a new ambassador to Vietnam, Ri Sung-guk, in early August, filling a position that had been vacant since April 2019. The delay in the appointment was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had imposed severe restrictions on diplomatic appointments and activities. With the easing of these restrictions, North Korea is re-establishing its diplomatic presence and engagements, with Vietnam being a key partner in this endeavor.