(VOVworld) - Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Nam has begun a three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Truong Tan Sang. The visit shows the two countries’ wish to strengthen their traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation.

The Vietnam-DPRK traditional friendship founded by late President Ho Chi Minh and late President Kim Il Sung and nurtured by their successors, has experienced the various ups and downs of history. The DPRK was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam on January 31, 1950. Since then, both countries have maintained their fine relationship through high-ranking visits, especially former Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s visit to the DPRK in 2007, visits to Vietnam by Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK Kim Yong Nam and Prime Minister Kim Yong Il in 2001 and 2007 respectively. DPRK Ambassador to Vietnam Kim Chang Il told VOV: "The traditional friendship built up by President Kim Il Sung and President Ho Chi Minh has served as a bridge linking our two countries. Leaders of both countries have paid special attention to consolidating and developing our bilateral ties. In the near future, we will work with Vietnamese friends to further the bilateral relationship making it more practical".

The bilateral economic relation between the two countries has witnessed new progresses in recent years. In September 2000, they set up the mechanism for an inter-governmental committee for cooperation in economics, science and technology. Vietnam’s exports to DPRK totalled nearly 16.5 million USD in 2009. The figure was 16 million USD in 2010 and 18 million USD in 2011. Consumer goods are Vietnam’s major export items to the DPRK. In 2008, the two countries signed 5 Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in mineral exploitation and related technical exchanges. They have also exchanged experts in oil and gas and agriculture. Both countries have maintained a mechanism for inter-governmental cooperation in economics, science and technology with the eighth meeting of the committee to be held in Pyongyang later this month. Various other significant cooperation agreements have also been signed including those on science and technology in 1958, trade and maritime activities in 1962, and health care assistance in 1966. In 2002, they signed agreements on maritime transportation, trade, investment promotion and protection, and double taxation avoidance.

Since the two countries established their diplomatic ties, they have paid special attention to promoting cultural and educational cooperation. During the 1960s and 1970s, the DPRK helped train hundreds of Vietnamese students. Every year, the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture sends art troupes to Pyongyang for spring festivals. They signed a sports cooperation agreement in 2011 and a cultural cooperation agreement for the 2012-2014 period. Most recently, the Korean Revolutionary Museum and the Ho Chi Minh Museum jointly organized a photo exhibition on Korea’s land and people in Vietnam on the occasion of President Kim Il Sung’s 100^th birthday. Last year, the two countries held a photo exhibition in the DPRK honoring President Ho Chi Minh. These activities have strengthened bilateral friendship, with the Vietnamese-Korean and the Korean-Vietnamese friendship associations serving as bridges linking the two countries. "2012 is a significant year for the DPRK’s people as it marks the 100^th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung, the 70^th birthday of President Kim Jong Il and the inauguration of the DPRK’s new leader Kim Jong Un. The DPRK is opening its door. Vietnam pledges to assist and support the DPRK’s people’s efforts for peace and national unification", said Pham Tat Dong, President of the Vietnamese Korean Friendship Association.

The Korean Workers’ Party is currently concentrating on economic development and improvement of people’s living conditions, through reforming agriculture and economic management. With their joint efforts, both Vietnam and DPRK are committed to strengthening their traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and coordination in politics and external affairs for the sake of peace, and stability in Asia and the world.