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

North Korean Vice Defense Minister Ryo Chol-ung departed for Vietnam on Wednesday, according to state media, as bilateral ties between the two countries continue to strengthen. The delegation, headed by Ryo, bid farewell to Pyongyang the day before, accompanied by defense ministry officials, Vietnam's ambassador to North Korea, and the embassy's defense attache.

No specifics were provided regarding the delegation's schedule or the aim of the trip. The visit unfolds as Pyongyang and Hanoi have intensified their efforts to enhance bilateral relations. Recently, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his commitment to bolstering mutual ties in a letter to President To Lam, on the occasion of Vietnam's 81st founding anniversary.

Over the past few months, relations between the two nations have been progressively improving, following the October summit. President To Lam's visit to North Korea marked the first by a high-ranking Vietnamese official in 18 years. In May, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung traveled to North Korea for discussions with his counterpart, Choe Son-hui. In the following month, the two countries' security ministers held talks in Pyongyang.