June 24 marks the 48 th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR).

On this meaningful occasion, the peoples of the DPRK and LPDR are recalling with deep emotion the history of bilateral friendly relations which have been forged, strengthened and developed on the basis of genuine revolutionary obligations and comradeship in the common struggle for the cause of socialism.

For the past 48 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have steadily strengthened and developed relations of friendship and cooperation through regular exchange of high-level delegations, efficient cooperation across several fields, and active support and collaboration in the international arena even under the complex international situation.

The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established 48 years ago, but the history of bilateral friendship had been written as early as in 1965.

In October, 1965, President Kim Il Sung had the first significant meeting in Pyongyang with Comrade Kaysone Phomvihane, the leader of Lao people and laid a solid foundation for continuously strengthening the bonds of kinship between the two peoples. Since then, President Kim Il Sung deepened personal relations with Comrade Kaysone Phomvihane during his several rounds of visits to our country and provided a good history and tradition of bilateral friendly relations.

Chairman Kim Jong Il met with Comrade Choummaly Sayasone, the then General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of the LPDR who visited our country in September 2011. He expressed the will of our Party and government to actively develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries true to the noble intentions of the preceding leaders and the desire of the peoples of the DPRK and LPDR. Comrade Choummaly Sayasone expressed the steadfast will of the Lao Party, state and people to maintain and further consolidate the traditional bilateral relations of friendship in the future, too.

The friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have been constantly strengthening and developing, unaffected by all kinds of tribulations of the history. Today, these relations are developing onto a new higher stage under the deep attention of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK and Comrade Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the LPRP and President of the LPDR.

The Lao people are now waging a vigorous struggle to build a prosperous socialist state by thoroughly implementing the decisions made at the 11 th Party Congress, overcoming all challenges and difficulties under the correct guidance of the LPDR.

Our people will as ever extend active support and firm solidarity to the Lao people in their struggle. We will direct all our efforts to continue to inherit and develop dynamically the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries in the common struggle for socialist cause, which were forged by the preceding leaders and record long-standing history and tradition.

Korea-Asia Association