(2nd LD) Key Russian, Chinese officials arrive in N. Korea ahead of major anniv.

▲ Dmitry Medvedev (second from R), deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, is welcomed by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon-il upon his arrival in Pyongyang on Oct. 8, 2025, in this pool photo released by EPA. (Yonhap)

▲ This file photo shows North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui (L) posing for a photo with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sept. 29, 2025, in this file photo taken from the website of the North's official Korean Central News Agency the next day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) NK anniv-foreign officials

(2nd LD) Key Russian, Chinese officials arrive in N. Korea ahead of major anniv.

(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 5-6)

SEOUL, Oct. 9 (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.

The Vietnamese leader subsequently held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, during which they agreed to strengthen cooperation and elevate bilateral ties to a higher level.

They also pledged to expand high-level exchanges across the party, government, assembly and regional levels, and to jointly explore areas for cooperation.

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.

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