North Korea held a celebratory event on Thursday to mark recent party congresses of both countries. The photography exhibition took place at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club in Pyongyang. The Vietnamese Embassy hosted the event, which featured videos and photos of bilateral friendship. Therefore these party congresses provided a timely reason for diplomatic celebration. The Korean Central News Agency reported the news on Friday.
The event honored the ninth congress of North Korea’s Workers’ Party in February. It also recognized Vietnam’s 14th national congress of the Communist Party in January. Consequently both party congresses served as milestones for renewed cooperation. Attendees included Pak Sang-gil, North Korea’s vice foreign minister. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung also attended the exhibition. Trung is currently visiting Pyongyang as a special envoy for President To Lam. Le Ba Vinh, Vietnam’s ambassador to North Korea, joined them as well.
Earlier on Thursday, Trung visited the Juche Tower in Pyongyang. He also toured a school that trains elite party cadres. These visits followed his arrival in North Korea on Tuesday. Trung then met North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui on Wednesday. He also met Kim Song-nam, a Workers’ Party secretary for international affairs. This warming trend began after October’s summit in Pyongyang. Vietnamese President To Lam traveled to North Korea for that meeting. It marked the first visit by a Vietnamese top leader in 18 years. Thus these party congresses have helped revive long-dormant diplomatic exchanges.
The photography exhibition featured materials on past and present leaders. Both sides displayed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Trung’s special envoy visit underscores Vietnam’s interest in North Korea. North Korea appears eager to break diplomatic isolation through such events. The two countries have maintained friendly relations since the Cold War era. However high-level visits had become rare in recent decades. Now these party congresses offer a fresh platform for engagement. Observers will watch for further exchanges after Trung’s departure. The Vietnamese delegation will likely return home with renewed cooperation pledges. These party congresses may lead to more economic and cultural agreements soon.
