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Key Russian, Vietnamese officials arrive in N. Korea ahead of major anniversary

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By Yonhap
  • Published KST
  • Updated KST
Dmitry Medvedev, second from right, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, is welcomed by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon-il upon his arrival in Pyongyang, Wednesday. EPA-Yonhap

Dmitry Medvedev, second from right, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, is welcomed by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon-il upon his arrival in Pyongyang, Wednesday. EPA-Yonhap

High-ranking officials from Russia, China and Vietnam have arrived in North Korea, foreign media reports said Thursday, ahead of the 80th founding anniversary of the North's ruling Workers' Party.

A Russian delegation led by Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has arrived in Pyongyang to attend celebrations marking the key party anniversary, Russia's Tass news agency said.

In a separate report, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported that a delegation led by Vietnam's Communist Party chief To Lam arrived in Pyongyang earlier in the day.

Lam's state visit, which marks the first visit to North Korea by Vietnam's top leader since 2007, also comes as the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year, the VNA said.

In this VNA photo, Vietnamese General Secretary of Communist Party To Lam, second right, is greeted by children upon his arrival in Pyongyang, North Korea, Thursday, for a state visit and to attend the 80th anniversary of the founding of North Korea's ruling Worker's Party of Korea. AP-Yonhap

In this VNA photo, Vietnamese General Secretary of Communist Party To Lam, second right, is greeted by children upon his arrival in Pyongyang, North Korea, Thursday, for a state visit and to attend the 80th anniversary of the founding of North Korea's ruling Worker's Party of Korea. AP-Yonhap

Also arriving in Pyongyang on Thursday was Chinese Premier Li Qiang, according to China's Xinhua News Agency.

Li made the trip to attend celebrations marking the 80th anniversary and pay an official goodwill visit to North Korea, Xinhua reported, adding the Chinese official noted how the two countries have enjoyed a "profound traditional friendship" as socialist neighbors.

China's foreign ministry earlier said Li will pay an official visit to North Korea from Thursday to Saturday, leading a party and government delegation.

North Korea, which celebrates the party founding anniversary on Oct. 10 each year, is widely expected to stage a large-scale military parade marking the date as early as Thursday, according to sources.