▲ This photo carried by the Korean Central News Agency on Oct. 23, 2024, shows a Vietnamese delegation arriving in Pyongyang. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

N Korea-Vietnam-diplomacy

Vice FMs of N. Korea, Vietnam discuss ways to bolster cooperation

SEOUL, Oct. 24 (Yonhap) -- The vice foreign ministers of North Korea and Vietnam have met to discuss ways to bolster bilateral cooperation, the North's state media said Thursday.

The meeting between Pak Sang-gil and his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Minh Vu, took place in Pyongyang on Wednesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"The two sides held in-depth discussions and reached a consensus on expanding exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and on strengthening and developing the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries to a new and higher level," the KCNA said.

Pak previously visited Vietnam in September as part of a four-nation trip, which also included stops in Laos, Thailand and Indonesia.

In early August, North Korea's new ambassador to Vietnam, Ri Sung-guk, officially assumed his duties after years of delay in the appointment of the top envoy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The post had remained vacant since Ri's predecessor, Kim Myong-gil, returned to North Korea in April 2019, months before the outbreak of the pandemic.

Since reopening its borders after years of COVID-19-related restrictions, North Korea has been increasing diplomatic activities with traditionally friendly countries, including Vietnam.

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