North Korea, Vietnam pledge deeper defense ties

Vietnam and North Korea have agreed to deepen defense cooperation following talks in Hanoi between their deputy defense ministers. Vietnam said recent progress included exchanges of delegations, political work, and education and training, and urged both sides to carry out a defense cooperation letter of intent signed in 2025. The North Korean delegation’s visit comes amid broader efforts to expand ties, including recent high-level diplomatic and security exchanges. The countries’ relationship dates to the Cold War, and Vietnam has also announced plans for a memorial and cemetery renovation honoring North Korean servicemen killed in the Vietnam War.