On January 31, 2025, Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam, and Vietnamese President Luong Cuong exchanged congratulatory messages to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between North Korea and Vietnam and declared 2025 as the year of friendship. In addition, North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, as well as North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, exchanged similar congratulatory messages in celebration of the year of friendship, reaffirming their commitment to fostering friendly relations between the two states. Having formally established their diplomatic relations on January 31, 1950, North Korea and Vietnam marked the 75th anniversary by designating 2025 as the year of friendship, signaling the strengthening of their bilateral relations. Given that the two states have emphasized that they will pursue mutual cooperation and development in various fields, including politics, economy, and culture, this article examines the significance of North Korea’s decision to increase their cooperation with Vietnam, with a focus on the North Korean perspective.

Reasons and Directions for Cooperation Implications