N. Korea's vice defense minister departs for Vietnam amid deepening ties

Seoul, September 23 - North Korean Vice Defense Minister Ryo Chol-ung embarked on a trip to Vietnam, according to state media reports on Wednesday, as the two nations strengthen their bilateral relations. The delegation, headed by Ryo, departed Pyongyang earlier in the day and was greeted by officials from North Korea's defense ministry, Vietnam's ambassador to North Korea, and the embassy's defense attache, as per the Korean Central News Agency.

Specific details regarding the delegation's route and the objective of the visit were not provided in the report. The visit follows a surge in efforts by Pyongyang and Hanoi to bolster bilateral ties. Earlier this month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reiterated his commitment to strengthening mutual relations in a letter to President To Lam, commemorating Vietnam's 81st founding anniversary.

The two countries have been gradually deepening their relationship since the October summit. President To Lam's visit to North Korea marked the first by a top Vietnamese leader in 18 years, following the summit. In May, Vietnam's Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung paid a visit to North Korea to discuss matters with his counterpart, Choe Son-hui.

In June, the two nations' security ministers held talks in Pyongyang to explore avenues for expanding cooperation in public security and law enforcement.