Vientiane: Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith is set to visit North Korea on October 10, 2025, at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The visit is scheduled to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea, one of North Korea’s most significant national celebrations.

The announcement was made by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 2. This visit marks a rare occasion for a foreign head of state to enter North Korea, which remains under strict international sanctions due to its nuclear and missile programs.

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief, To Lam, is also expected to visit North Korea in October, potentially marking the first visit by a Vietnamese leader in nearly two decades. Preparations for his trip are reportedly underway, though no official confirmation has been issued.

South Korean officials have indicated that North Korea may hold a military parade to mark the anniversary, reflecting the country’s ongoing efforts to showcase its military capabilities while engaging diplomatically with neighboring nations.

The upcoming visits highlight North Korea’s interest in maintaining high-profile diplomatic interactions amid its ongoing international isolation.