KPA Delegation Meets Lao President and Returns Home

Lao President Choummaly Sayasone (R) meets with VMar Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff and Presidium Member of the KWP Political Bureau on 11 May 2012 (Photo: KPL)

DPRK and Lao state media reported on 11 May (Friday) that a Korean People’s Army [KPA] delegation headed by VMar Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff, met with Lao President Choummaly Sayasone.  KCNA reports:

Choummaly Sayasone, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and president of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on Friday met and had a friendly talk with the DPRK high- ranking military delegation headed by Vice Marshal of the Korean People’s Army Ri Yong Ho, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and chief of the General Staff of the KPA, which paid a courtesy call on him.

Choummaly Sayasone said that the friendly relations between Laos and the DPRK provided by President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Kim Il Sung have a long history.

These friendly relations have grown stronger thanks to leader Kim Jong Il, he noted.

He underlined the need to make positive efforts to deepen the friendship between the armies of Laos and the DPRK in the future.

VMar Ri Yong Ho shakes hands with an LPA official prior to departing Laos for the DPRK on 11 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

VMar Ri and the KPA delegation departed for the DPRK on their chartered plane later in the day.  KCNA reports:

The DPRK high-ranking military delegation headed by Vice-Marshal of the Korean People’s Army Ri Yong Ho, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea and chief of the General Staff of the KPA, left Vientiane on Friday after visiting the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos.

A farewell ceremony was held for the delegation before leaving.

During its stay in Laos the delegation toured Kaysone Phomvihane Military Academy, a power station, etc.

KPA Delegation Meets Lao Prime Minister

Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong (R) talks with VMar Ri Yong Ho (L), chief of the KPA General Staff and Presidium Member of the KWP Political Bureau, on 9 May 2012 (Photo: KPL)

DPRK and Lao state media reported on 10 May (Thursday) that a Korean People’s Army [KPA] delegation led by VMar Ri Yong Ho (Ri Yo’ng-ho), Chief of the KPA General Staff, met Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong on Wednesday (9 May).  KCNA reports:

Laos highly appreciates the achievements made by the party, government and army of the DPRK in building a thriving socialist nation and defending the country under the wise leadership of the great leaders, said Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong when receiving the DPRK’s high-ranking military delegation.

The delegation headed by Vice Marshal of the Korean People’s Army Ri Yong Ho, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C. of the Workers’ Party of Korea and chief of the General Staff of the KPA, paid a courtesy call on the prime minister of Laos on Wednesday.

At the meeting, Thongsing Thammavong, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C. of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, said the DPRK delegation’s visit provided an important opportunity of boosting the friendly relations between the two armies.

Leader Kim Jong Il developed the friendly ties between Laos and the DPRK provided by President Kim Il Sung, the prime minister noted.

The dear respected Kim Jong Un pays much attention to the development of the bilateral friendly relations, he added.

 Also, the same day, the KPA delegation met with Lao Vice Minister of Defense Sanyahak Phomvihane and other Lao People’s Army officials.

Attending the meeting were members of the high ranking military delegation headed by chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army Ri Yong Ho and the DPRK ambassador to Laos from the DPRK side and members of the Lao military delegation headed by Vice-Minister of Defense Sanyahak Phomvihane from the Lao side.

The two side exchanged views on further developing the friendly relations between the armies of the two countries and matters of mutual concern.

There was a welcome ceremony for the DPRK military delegation at the building of the Lao defense ministry on the same day.

The DPRK delegation laid a wreath before the Monument to Unknown Soldiers.

The Lao Ministry of Defense and the LPA also hosted a reception for the KPA delegation

Present there on invitation were members of the delegation led by Ri Yong Ho, chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army, and the DPRK ambassador to Laos.

Also attending the reception were Vice-Minister of Defence Sanyahak Phomvihane, a deputy director of the General Political Department and the deputy chief of the General Staff of the Laotian People’s Army and other military officials.

An art performance was given by artistes of Laos at the reception.

KPA Delegation Travels to Laos

Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Yong Ho shakes hands with Col. Gen. O Kum Chol (2nd R), prior to departing for an official visit to Laos. (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 8 May (Tuesday) that VMar Ri Yong Ho, chief of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Staff, and a KPA delegation departed for an official visit to Laos.  KCNA did not disclose how long the KPA delegation would stay in Laos.  The delegation also includes Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, vice minister of the People’s Armed Forces and deputy director of the KPA General Political Department (bureau), and Lt. Gen. Ri Tu Song, deputy director of the KPA General Propaganda Department.  Gen. Pak visited Laos in March 2011.

VMar Ri Yong Ho (C) and Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (L) (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports:

A high-ranking military delegation of the DPRK headed by Vice Marshal of the Korean People’s Army Ri Yong Ho, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and chief of the General Staff of the KPA, left here to visit Laos on May 8.

The delegation was seen off at the airport by Kang Phyo Yong, vice-minister of the People’s Armed Forces, O Kum Chol, deputy chief of the General Staff of the KPA, generals and officers of the KPA, Ambassador Kiettisak Keobanhdith and staff members of the Lao embassy here.

A senior delegation of the Lao People’s Army visited the DPRK in late July 2011, and Lao President Choummaly Sayasone visited Pyongyang in September 2011 which marked Kim Jong Un’s first reported public interaction with a foreign head of state.  Last week, a delegation of the Lao National Assembly visited the DPRK from 3 to 5 May. During its stay, the head of the Lao delegation Pany Yathortu met with Korean Workers’ Party Secretary and Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Chairman Choe Tae Bok and other officials.

KWP’s 66th Birthday

The Korean Workers’ Party turned 66 on 10 October (Monday).  A delegation of senior party, army and government leaders visited the Kumsusan Memorial Hall, to pay their respects to Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-song).  Concerts and dance parties were held in Pyongyang and the provinces.  DPRK elites and citizens visited KIS statues to offer floral tributes.  Due to ongoing construction in the Mansudae area in Pyongyang, floral tributes to the KIS Statue have been moved to the campus of KIS University.

KIS University President and Minister of Higher Education, Song Ja Rip (R) places a floral bouquet at the foot of the KIS statue on the university's campus on the 66th anniversary of the Korean Workers' Party (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports that Pyongyang had “a festive mood”:

Streets are decorated with WPK and national flags, red banners and placards reading “Celebration of October 10″ and “Great Party, Motherly Party.”

Many people visit statues of President Kim Il Sung on Ryongnam Hill and in other places of the city with floral baskets and bunches in their hands.

The Party Founding Museum and the Party Founding Memorial Tower are crowded with people.

Through the visit they learn more about the feats the President performed in founding the WPK and developing it into a popular party based on the working masses.

The Mansudae Art Troupe, National Symphony Orchestra and other art troupes are busy with preparations for celebration performances.

Mass media have introduced feats of the three commanders of Mt. Paektu — President Kim Il Sung, leader Kim Jong Il and anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk — in party building and party activities, as well as achievements made by the Korean people in socialist construction.

Pyongyangites participate in a dancing party on the plaza in front of Pyongyang Indoor Statdium (Photo: KCNA)

The Lao Embassy in the DPRK hosted a reception on 8 October (Saturday) to commemorate the KWP’s anniversary, as well as the recent visit to the DPRK by Lao President Choummaly Sayasone.  CC KWP Secretary and Director of International Affairs, Kim Yong Il (Kim Yo’ng-il) attended the event on behalf of the central leadership.

Chaleune Warinthrasak said in his speech at the reception that the friendly relations between Laos and the DPRK provided by Kaysone Phomvihane and President Kim Il Sung have a long history.

The current meeting between Choummaly Sayasone and leader Kim Jong Il was a great event in boosting the bilateral relations, he noted.

The Lao party, government and people will make positive efforts to boost the relations between the two countries.

Kim Yong Il noted in his speech that the meeting between Kim Jong Il and President Choummaly Sayasone served as a historic event which demonstrated the vitality of the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Laos.

He referred to the positive struggle waged by the Lao people to defend the socialist gains, consolidate the people’s democratic system and strengthen the state power as a whole.

Kim Jong Il received an anniversary message from embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad:

The message said: Allow me to extend heartfelt congratulations, on behalf of the leadership of the Baath Arab Socialist Party, the Syrian Arab people and myself, to you, the leadership of the WPK and the fraternal Korean people on the 66th birthday of the WPK. And please accept my best wishes for successes of you and members of the leadership of your party in their work as well as for the Korean people’s progress and prosperity.

I, availing myself of this good opportunity, would like to express belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between Syria and the DPRK will continue to grow stronger in the interests of the peoples of the two friendly countries.

Kim Jong Il has yet to take the time celebrate the party’s 66th anniversary.  Having returned from a brief excursion to South Hamgyo’ng, he has conducted several on-the-spot-guidance tours north of and east of Pyongyang.  After visiting a synthetic leather factory in P’yo’ngso’ng, a daily necessities factory in Raknang, Pyongyang, and the Central Tree Nursery  north of the capital city, KJI inspected a “newly built” factory that produces solar equipment.  During last year’s party anniversary, KJI ferried his successor and son, Kim Jong Un, through several events, including a KPA parade in KIS Square.  Last year’s anniversary included a visit by PRC senior official Zhou Yongkang.  Despite a lack of senior Chinese officials visiting the DPRK for this year’s party anniversary, PRC support for the country remains strong.  Tokyo Shimbun reports that the two countries will hold joint search-and-rescue (SAR) exercises in the West Sea (Yellow Sea) some time next year.

A 10 October 2011 KCTV image of Kim Jong Il visiting a solar equipment factory near Pyongyang. Also seen in attendance is NDC Member and director of the party's 2nd Machine-Building Industry Department, Ju Kyu Chang (R) (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Il Meets with Laos President

A commemorative photograph of Lao President Choummaly Sayasone (C) with Kim Jong Il (R) and Kim Jong Un (L) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Il met with Lao President Choummaly Sayasone.  In addition to the Lao officials accompanying Mr. Sayasone, joining the meeting and dinner reception from the DPRK were Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Yong Ho, CC KWP Secretary and Department Director Kim Yong Il, NDC Member and CC KWP Secretary Pak To Chun, NDC Member and CC KWP Department Director Ju Kyu Chang, and KJI’s hereditary successor, Kim Jong Un.  The presence of Pak To Chun and Ju Kyu Chang suggest that part of the meeting may have included weapons sales or exchanges between the DPRK and Laos.

A commemorative group photograph of Kim Jong Il's meeting and reception for Lao President Choummaly Sayasone. From the DPRK, standing in the 2nd row, are Ju Kyu Chang (L), Kim Yong Il (2nd L), Ri Yong Ho (3rd R) and Pak To Chun (L) (Photo: KCNA)

Lao President Choummaly Sayasone presents gifts to Kim Jong Il (Photo: KCNA)

Saysone, who also heads his country’s ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, arrived in the DPRK on Wednesday, 21 September, after visiting China.  During his visits, the DPRK central leadership held a reception for him where he interacted with SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam), CC KWP Secretary Choe Tae Bok (Choe T’ae-pok) and others.  KCNA reports:

Kim Yong Nam made a speech at the reception.

He said the Lao president’s DPRK visit marked a very important occasion in boosting the unity and friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and peoples which were forged in the common struggle for socialism against imperialism.

He went on: The friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and peoples provided by the leaders of the elder generation have grown stronger under the deep care of leader Kim Jong Il and Choummaly Sayasone.

The WPK and the people of the DPRK sincerely wished the LPRP and the people of Laos more admirable successes in their efforts for attaining the task and goals advanced at the 9th Congress of LPRP.

The WPK and the DPRK government will make positive efforts to constantly develop the friendship and cooperation with the LPRP and the people of Laos in the road towards socialism against imperialism.

Choummaly Sayasone, speaking next, highly estimated with pleasure that the fraternal Korean people are registering great achievements in the drive for achieving the prosperity of the socialist country and improving the standard of people’s living following the juche idea and the songun idea under the banner of self-reliance under the leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea headed by Kim Jong Il, holding President Kim Il Sung, the eternal leader.

He was convinced that the fraternal Korean people would make greater successes in building a thriving socialist nation and accomplishing the cause of national reunification on the principles of independence, peace and great national unity.

He expressed deep thanks to the fraternal party, government and people of the DPRK for having rendered precious cooperation to the struggle of the Lao people for national salvation in the past and their national defence and construction at present on behalf of the Lao party, state and people.

We will in the future, too, defend and strengthen the traditional friendly and cooperative relations, the good and precious heritages, which were provided by Kaysone Phomvihane, president of the Lao people and Kim Il Sung, the great leader of the Korean people, and have been carried and expanded by the leaders of the new generation, he stressed.

Lao President Choummaly Sayasone talks with Kim Jong Il during a dinner reception (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Visiting Laotian President Choummaly Saygnasone (L), escorted by Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, inspects an honor guard after arriving at the airport in Pyongyang on Sept. 21. The (North) Korean Central News Agency released the photo on Sept. 22 without elaborating on his itinerary. (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Sayasone’s arrival in the DPRK was greeted with editorials in Rodong Sinmun and Minju Choson.  KCNA also published a biographical profile on Sayasone, which in part read:

He took part in revolution in 1954 and joined the Lao People’s Party, the predecessor of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, in 1955.

He received military and politico-theoretical education in Vietnam and the former Soviet Union.

He was a political commissar of a battalion and battalion commander, chief of staff and commander of the force stationed in Xiengkhouang area, the liberation area from 1962 to 1975.

He worked as director of the Combat Department of the Lao Ministry of Defence and deputy chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army and vice-minister of Defence from 1976.

He was appointed as first vice-minister of Defence in 1986 and minister of Defence in August of 1991.

He was elected vice-president of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 2001.

Sayasone led one of several delegations visiting Pyongyang this week.  Sayasone arrived on the same day as a delegation of ROK religious leaders.  On 20 September a number of foreign academics (primarily from China and Russia) arrived in the DPRK for a symposium held to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Kim Il Sung University.  A delegation from The Netherlands led by Ambassador Paul Alex Mankveld arrived on 21 September.  Mankveld attended an event commemorating the 10-year anniversary of NL-DPRK diplomatic relations.