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Friday, November 14, 2025
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Laos, North Korea Move to Deepen Cooperation Across Multiple Sectors

This Week

Laos and North Korea have agreed to expand cooperation across multiple sectors, reflecting a shared goal of strengthening their long-standing relationship through increased exchanges and improved coordination.

According to the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane met with his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son Hui, during a visit to North Korea from 11 to 15 November. Discussions focused on collaboration in education, sports, tourism, culture, social development, political affairs, personnel training, and foreign policy.

Both sides emphasized the importance of boosting high-level exchanges and establishing regular consultative mechanisms to guide future cooperation. 

The talks also reviewed ongoing collaboration within regional and international platforms, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Non-Aligned Movement. ASEAN’s neutral stance and ties with major regional powers continue to make it a key venue for North Korea’s diplomatic outreach.

Officials highlighted recent Southeast Asian participation in Pyongyang, including Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith’s visit on 7–8 October and his attendance at ceremonies marking the Workers’ Party of Korea’s anniversary. 

These engagements were cited as evidence of the region’s continued significance to North Korea, despite its limited interaction with much of the international community.

The visit also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the first meeting between the founding leaders of both nations, widely regarded as the beginning of their modern bilateral relationship.

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