President Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos has come to Pyongyang to take part in events celebrating the 80th founding anniversary of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK). North Korean leader Kim Jong-un extended the invitation. Laos’ attendance reinforces the diplomatic ties that are still very much active between the two nations, especially considering the current climate of global inconsistencies in Pyongyang’s alliances.
Improving diplomatic relations between Laos and North Korea
As reported by the North Korean state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), President Thongloun and Kim had their first meeting on Tuesday, October 7, and declared strengthened commitments to Pyongyang and Valentiane’s bilateral cooperation.
Kim and Thongloun’s meeting also served to renew the bilateral relations described as the “traditional relations of friendship and cooperation.”
Kim Jong-un is said to have characterized the visit of the Loation leader as “Full support and encouragement”
Following Kim’s state reception, all leaders gave an address, which was described as joyous, interconnected, and deeply emotional. The specifics of their address purposefully captured the emotional and intertwined spirits of relations.
Why is this diplomatic visit special?
Thongloun’s visit is one of the highest-level diplomatic engagements North Korea has hosted in the last several years. Although the country has limited foreign visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to experience heavy international sanctions from the global community due to its nuclear weapons program, Thongloun’s visit does represent a shift in North Korea’s diplomatic posture.
KNCA reported on this, saying:
“Thongloun’s visit represented his government’s full support and encouragement for North Korea.”
This is also President Thongloun’s first visit to Pyongyang since 2011, when he traveled as deputy prime minister alongside then-President Choummaly Sayasone for talks with the late Kim Jong-il.
The longstanding relationship of ties of friendship and respect of the Lao people
Loation president’s presence in the WPK anniversary celebrations shows the longstanding relationship and ties of friendship and respect of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party with the Workers’ Party of Korea, both of which are socialists in ideology. Relations between the two countries officially began in 1974.
Thongloun is not the only foreign dignitary attending the anniversary events. Also attending the events are Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev. Their presence, as well as Thongloun’s, shows North Korea’s strategic intention to project diplomacy to the world.
One of the most important political events in North Korea is the anniversary celebrated every October 10. The 80th anniversary is anticipated to be celebrated with another military parade, with media and South Korean military reports stating that there are preparations with tens of thousands of personnel.
Strategic implications and what’s next
Parades become another way for North Korea to show off its new impressive military gear. North Korea is most likely going to show off its military toys and images. Most people are guessing North Korea is going to show new generation missile system, next to AI technologies for new military systems.
Relations with Laos show the new Korean approach to building new relationships with friendly nations. The new approach to the Western pressures, meanwhile, sends control. The relationships with Laos, China, Russia, and Vietnam build the support countries of the nations in the East to the new Western control.
Relations with North Korea show and reinforce Laos’ new standing with the other nations during the visit to North Korea. With President Thongloun Sisoulith attending WPK anniversary celebrations, this shows North Korea’s appreciation for the strong ties with neighboring Laos as well as respect for their current geopolitical situation. Even without immediate policy changes, such a visit reflects the importance of long-standing relations in the rapidly changing world.