DPRK leader Kim Jong-un affirmed his country’s stance of continuing to enhance the traditional relations with Vietnam. Photo: AFP

According to the DPRK’s state media KCNA, Kim expressed “his belief that the friendly and cooperative ties between the two parties and countries with a long history and tradition would as ever grow stronger.”

In his message, he cited his first state visit to Vietnam in March, which he said provided an “important occasion” in strengthening and developing bilateral ties and friendship, the KCNA said.

Following his second summit with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi, the DPRK leader began a visit to Vietnam on March 1. During the trip, he also held meetings with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong and had meetings with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, and expressed hope for stepped-up cooperation and exchanges with Vietnam in all areas.

Kim is the first DPRK leader who has paid an official visit to Vietnam after 55 years. Earlier, the founder of the DPRK Kim Il-sung visited Vietnam in 1958 and 1964./.

VNF/VNA/KCNA