▲ North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R) shakes hands with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Pyongyang on Oct. 7, 2025, as the Lao official visited the North to attend celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea, in this undated photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Oct. 8. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

N Korea-Laos summit

N. Korea's Kim holds talks with Lao president in Pyongyang: KCNA

SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has held talks with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, the North's state media reported Wednesday.

The meeting took place in Pyongyang on Tuesday during the Lao president's visit for celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the North's ruling Workers' Party of Korea, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

During the talks, the two leaders discussed ways to enhance mutual cooperation, with the KCNA quoting the meeting as expressing "expectation and conviction that the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two sides will grow stronger."

Kim said Thongloun's visit represented his government's "full support and encouragement" for North Korea, while the Lao leader pledged continued efforts to further develop the two nations' friendship and cooperation, according to the report.

Following the meeting, Kim hosted a reception to welcome Thongloun's visit, during which both leaders delivered speeches, the KCNA said, without providing further details.

Thongloun last visited Pyongyang in September 2011 as deputy prime minister and foreign minister, accompanying then President Choummaly Sayasone for talks with late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

In addition to Thongloun, several other foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the anniversary event, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev. North Korea celebrates its ruling party's foundation anniversary on Oct. 10 every year.

Pyongyang is also reportedly preparing a large-scale military parade to mark the occasion, sources said.

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