Consolidating and strengthening relations with Vietnam is the consistent policy of the DPRK, Kim told visiting Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son at a reception in Pyongyang on July 18.

He proposed that both countries increase the exchange of high-level and sectoral visits to promote mutual understanding and confidence, as well as cooperation.

Earlier, Son paid a courtesy visit to Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun and held talks with his Korean counterpart Pak Kil-yon.

He also met with Ri Myong-san, Deputy Trade Minister - cum – chairman of the DPRK Sub-committee of the DPRK-Vietnam Inter-governmental Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, and Kim Jin-bom, Vice Chairman of the Korean External Liaison Cultural Committee, who is also president of the DPRK-Vietnam Friendship Association.

During talks and meetings, both sides discussed measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in politics, economics, culture and education.

They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the situation on the Korean peninsula and in the East Sea.