North Korea is expressing deep condolences over the passing of Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, highlighting its "mourning diplomacy."

North Korea's official newspaper, <em>Rodong Sinmun</em>, reported that Kim Jong Un expressed profound condolences over the death of the prime minister and sent a wreath to honor his memory.

Yesterday, Kim Jong Un's wreath was laid at the funeral home by Ri Ho Jun, North Korea's temporary charge d'affaires in Vietnam. The wreath reportedly bore the inscription "In memory of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong."

The special envoy met with the bereaved family and officials from the Vietnamese Communist Party and Foreign Ministry, stating, "I hope the Vietnamese government and people overcome their loss and continue to advance the dignity of socialism."

In response, Vietnamese party and government officials expressed their commitment to actively work towards developing bilateral relations in line with the agreements reached during the historic Hanoi summit in March 2019.

Kim Jong Un also sent a wreath to the Vietnamese embassy in Pyongyang. The party secretary, Jo Yong Won, visited the embassy the day before to lay Kim's wreath. Choe Son Hui, the foreign minister, and Kim Song Nam, the head of the International Department, accompanied him.

Party, government, military, and ministry officials also visited the Vietnamese embassy to express condolences. Among those who paid their respects were Kang Yun Seok, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly; Jeong Myeong Soo, Deputy Prime Minister; Won Kyung Ho, Deputy Head of the Party; Kim Min Seob, Deputy Minister of Defense; Park Sang Gil, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Kim In Cheol, Deputy Minister of Social Security; and Ri Tae Myung, Vice Chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee. They reflected silently to honor Trong and left messages in the condolence book.

Earlier, Kim Jong Un sent a condolence message immediately on the day of Trong's passing on the 19th due to illness.

Vietnam, a socialist country, has maintained a friendly relationship with North Korea. Notably, Kim Jong Un held a summit with Trong during his official visit to Vietnam for the 2019 North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi.

North Korea appears particularly attentive to its traditional ally, reflecting on the relationship between the two nations and the bond between Kim and Trong.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Communist Party has declared a national mourning period from the 25th until today.

North Korea is expressing deep condolences over the passing of Vietnamese Communist Party …

Kim Jong Un's Heartfelt Condolences: Strengthening Ties with Vietnam in Mourning