Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
North Korea to replace ambassador to Vietnam
By Lee Min-hyung
Kim Myong-gil, outgoing North Korean ambassador to Vietnam
By Lee Min-hyung
North Korea has decided to replace its ambassador to Vietnam, its state-run news agency reported Monday.
“North Korean ambassador to Vietnam Kim Myong-gil made a farewell visit to Vietnamese Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, Friday,” the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
The KCNA, however, did not say who will succeed Kim, but North Korea watchers here say Kim Jong-un may appoint one of his confidants to spur economic partnership with the Southeast Asian country.
Kim Myong-gil is known as a key envoy to have assisted in the North Korean delegation in February in Hanoi during the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un.
At that time, the regime's young dictator made a surprise visit to the North Korean embassy in the Vietnamese capital, as part of his first official schedule after arriving in Hanoi for the summit.
“The Vietnamese government will place high value on friendly relations with North Korea, and continue to support peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” the regime's propaganda media outlet quoted the Vietnamese vice president as saying.
The outgoing North Korean ambassador to Vietnam took office there in August 2015, and it remains unknown what his next step will be.
The incoming North Korean ambassador to Vietnam will likely put top priority on strengthening economic ties between the two countries, as Kim Jong-un and Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong agreed to reinforce their bilateral exchanges during their meeting there on Mar. 1.
Kim Jong-un has in recent months expressed his firm willingness to achieve the regime's economic development. Vietnam has been cited as the North's best role model in terms of economic growth.
The Southeast Asian country has made outstanding economic growth after opening up its centralized and socialist economy. North Korea also shares a similar political background with that of Vietnam, so there were expectations that Kim Jong-un might visit some of its manufacturing hubs during his recent trip to the country.