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Mar 02, 2019 / 11:59

Vietnam visit to be noted “significant politic program”, Kim Jong Un says in Hanoi

Kim invited Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong to visit North Korea. The president agreed with the invitation and said that the visit would be arranged through diplomatic channel.

The official visit to Vietnam would be noted as a “significant politic program” in the diplomacy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), leader Kim Jong Un said in the meeting with Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong on March 1. 
 
Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong welcomes DPRK's leader Kim Yong Un in Hanoi on March 1. Photo: VNS
Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong welcomes DPRK's leader Kim Yong Un in Hanoi on March 1. Photo: VNS
Kim affirmed the DPRK’s persistent stance in enhancing the long-lasting relationship with Vietnam which was built up by North Korean founder and president Kim Il-sung and Vietnam’s revolutionary leader and founding president Ho Chi Minh. 

“Great souls of the two countries’ leaders and martyrs have carved the DPRK-Vietnam friendship by blood,” Kim said, adding that maintaining the relationship is natural and ethical. 

He said he, in respect to his grandfather and his father, will continue strengthening the Vietnam-DKRK friendship as they wished.

“I was deeply moved by the fervent welcome from the Vietnamese people and felt our 70-year history of friendly ties,” Kim said.

 
Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un. Photo: VNS
Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi on March 1. Photo: VNS
Vietnam is the second country after China which leader Kim visited since he took the position in 2011, and also Kim’s fourth foreign destination in less than 12 months, after not leaving his borders for more than six years following his inheritance of power, according to AFP.

Vietnam and North Korea ties were set up in 1950. During the Cold War, Vietnam and North Korea were both members of the Communist bloc, with Pyongyang sending Hanoi pilots and psychological warfare specialists to help it in the Vietnam War.

 
DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un and Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in Hanoi on March 1. Photo: VNS
DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un and Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in Hanoi on March 1. Photo: VNS
At the meeting in Hanoi, Kim invited Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong to visit North Korea. The president agreed with the invitation and said that the visit would be arranged through diplomatic channel. 

Leader Kim and President Nguyen Phu Trong agreed to promote exchange visits and different activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the bilateral ties. 

The latest visit by a North Korean official to Vietnam took place between November 29, 2018 and December 2, 2018 by Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho while Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh visited Pyongyang in mid-February ahead of the second Trump-Kim summit.