▲ North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R) speaks to Vietnamese leader To Lam in a ceremony on Oct. 9, 2025, welcoming the Vietnamese official's visit to North Korea, in this file photo published by the Korean Central News Agency. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

NK leader-Vietnam leader

N. Korea's Kim congratulates Vietnamese leader on reelection: KCNA

SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has congratulated Vietnam's leader To Lam on his reelection as head of the ruling party, expressing confidence that bilateral cooperation will develop in all fields, the North's state media reported Monday.

Kim delivered the message Friday, the same day the 68-year-old Lam was reelected as head of state for a five-year term at the ruling party's central committee, extending his top leadership position, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"Your re-assumption of the important duty of the general secretary is an expression of deep trust of all your party members and the Vietnamese people in you," Kim was quoted as telling Lam.

Kim also referred to an agreement reached with Lam last year, expressing "belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between our two parties and two countries with a long history and tradition will expand and develop substantially in all fields."

Lam was among several state leaders who visited North Korea in October last year to attend a military parade marking the 80th founding anniversary of its ruling party. Lam was the first Vietnamese top leader to visit the North since 2007.

Kim and Lam held summit talks at that time, agreeing to expand high-level exchanges and elevate bilateral relations to an advanced level.

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