BEIJING — North Korea is commemorating the 80th anniversary of its ruling Workers’ Party on Friday, drawing high-level delegations from China, Russia, Vietnam, and Laos. The event underscores Pyongyang’s growing efforts to fortify alliances with key geopolitical partners amid deepening international isolation.
According to state media reports, celebrations will be held in Pyongyang, though the exact program has not been disclosed. Observers expect military parades and state functions showcasing unity with China and Russia, both of which maintain close ties with Kim Jong Un’s regime.
China Sends Premier Li Qiang in Symbolic Show of Support
Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday, marking the highest-level visit by a Chinese official since 2019, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Li, a member of the Communist Party’s powerful Politburo Standing Committee and widely considered China’s second-most influential leader after President Xi Jinping, has recently represented Beijing at several global forums, including the United Nations General Assembly in September. His presence signals Beijing’s continued commitment to maintaining a strong relationship with Pyongyang despite ongoing tensions with the West.
Russia Sends Dmitry Medvedev to Strengthen Military Cooperation
Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev, former president and current deputy head of the Security Council chaired by Vladimir Putin, is representing Moscow at the anniversary events, according to North Korea’s state-run KCNA.
The visit comes as North Korea and Russia deepen defense cooperation. Pyongyang has reportedly supplied combat troops and ammunition to support Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine — a claim widely condemned by Western nations but celebrated in Russian and North Korean state media as evidence of a “strategic partnership.”
Vietnam and Laos Join in Socialist Solidarity
Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam arrived on Thursday, Vietnamese state media confirmed. His visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Hanoi and Pyongyang. As Vietnam’s top leader, To Lam occupies a role equivalent to Kim Jong Un’s within the Workers’ Party hierarchy.
Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith, who also serves as General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, is expected to attend, according to KCNA. His participation reflects the continued solidarity among socialist-leaning nations in Asia.
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Strengthened Alliances Amid Global Tensions
The anniversary celebrations follow a year of increasingly public cooperation among North Korea, China, and Russia. In September, Kim Jong Un appeared alongside Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at a major military parade in Beijing commemorating the end of World War II — a rare trilateral show of unity.
Analysts suggest the event reinforces North Korea’s alignment with its two most powerful neighbors, both of which serve as critical economic and political lifelines amid heavy international sanctions.
While no details of the planned commemoration have been disclosed, the attendance of foreign dignitaries underscores Pyongyang’s bid to project strength, stability, and legitimacy on the global stage.
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