Vietnam top leader's visit to N. Korea signals proactive role in global affairs

Trip aims to show Hanoi's loyal political stance and influence on Pyongyang

- Nga Pham

In Tan Dinh commune, Bac Giang, about 60km from Hanoi, there lies a small memorial to 14 North Korean pilots who were killed in combat while fighting for North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

From 1965 to 1969, besides delivering food, medicine and ammunition, Pyongyang sent about 100 personnel to serve in various roles in North Vietnam's air force — a direct involvement in a war far from the Korean Peninsula, demonstrating its strong commitment and support to its communist ally.

Fast forward 60 years, the two countries now maintain minimal communication and very limited trade relations.

Hanoi has instead developed a robust, multifaceted relationship with South Korea, and in 2022 made Seoul its fourth comprehensive strategic partner, the highest level of bilateral ties. This is why Vietnam's Communist Party chief To Lam's upcoming visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) from Oct 9 to 11 has drawn attention, not least because it is the first visit by a Vietnamese party general secretary in nearly 20 years, since Mr Nong Duc Manh's visit in 2007.

Mr Lam is expected to attend a military parade to mark the 80th founding anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on Oct 10, alongside Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith.

"This is also a reciprocal visit to DPRK leader Kim Jong Un's state visit to Vietnam in February 2019," said a senior Vietnamese official with deep knowledge of relations with North Korea. The official spoke to The Straits Times on condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to foreign media.

"The trip's aim is to show Vietnam's loyal political stance towards North Korea and, at the same time, to let the world see that Vietnam still has a certain influence on Pyongyang," the official said.