Kim Jong-un Pledges To Expand Ties With Vietnam
The North Korean leader sent a reply to President To Lam following communications regarding the nation's 78th founding anniversary.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in International Relations
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has formally pledged to deepen diplomatic relations with Vietnam in a reply letter to President To Lam. This correspondence follows an earlier message sent by President To Lam on September 9 to mark the 78th anniversary of North Korea's national founding.
Why it matters
The exchange underscores an active push by both nations to expand and develop bilateral cooperation in the common interests of their citizens. The diplomatic outreach follows a series of high-level engagements intended to strengthen ties between Pyongyang and Hanoi.
President To Lam's visit to North Korea in October 2025 marked the first time in 18 years that a top Vietnamese leader had traveled to the country. The correspondence occurs in the wake of the 78th anniversary of North Korea's national founding.
The players
Kim Jong-un
He is the supreme leader of North Korea who oversees the nation's foreign policy and diplomatic engagements.
To Lam
He serves as the President of Vietnam and has been actively seeking to normalize and expand his country's international diplomatic presence.
Le Hoai Trung
He is the Vietnamese Foreign Minister responsible for maintaining diplomatic channels with international counterparts.
Choe Son-hui
She is the North Korean Foreign Minister who manages state-level diplomatic relations for the country.
The details
The diplomatic momentum includes a May 2026 meeting between Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son-hui. Additionally, security ministers from both countries convened in Pyongyang in June 2026 to discuss public security and law enforcement cooperation.
Timeline
October 2025: President To Lam visited North Korea.
May 2026: Foreign ministers met in Pyongyang.
June 2026: Security ministers held talks in Pyongyang.
September 9, 2026: President To Lam sent a letter to Kim Jong-un.
October 26, 2026: Kim Jong-un sent a reply letter.
Political Context
This diplomatic exchange follows the pattern set by the 2025 To Lam visit to North Korea. The current engagement extends the renewed cooperation between the two nations after nearly two decades of limited top-level interaction.
For the general public, this diplomatic shift indicates a potential increase in government-level cooperation and regional exchange between the two nations. These ties often lead to formal law enforcement and security agreements that impact cross-border policy and travel regulations.
The takeaway
The sustained communication between Pyongyang and Hanoi highlights the importance of maintaining formal state channels to navigate geopolitical interests. Readers should monitor future ministerial meetings as indicators of whether these pledges translate into concrete bilateral policies.
Further reading
For more context on ongoing global state-level diplomacy, visit the International Relations section.
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