Pyongyang: High-ranking officials from Russia, China, and Vietnam have arrived in North Korea, foreign media reports said Thursday, ahead of the 80th founding anniversary of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party. A Russian delegation led by Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has arrived in Pyongyang to attend celebrations marking the key party anniversary, Russia’s Tass news agency said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, in a separate report, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported that a delegation led by Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam arrived in Pyongyang earlier in the day. Lam’s state visit, which marks the first visit to North Korea by Vietnam’s top leader since 2007, also comes as the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year, the VNA said. The Vietnamese leader subsequently held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, during which they agreed to strengthen cooperation and elevate bilateral ties to a higher level. They also pledged to expand high-level exchanges across the party, government, assembly, and regional levels, and to jointly explore areas for cooperation.

Dmitry Medvedev was welcomed by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon-il upon his arrival in Pyongyang on Oct. 8, 2025. Also arriving in Pyongyang on Thursday was Chinese Premier Li Qiang, according to China’s Xinhua News Agency. Li made the trip to attend celebrations marking the 80th anniversary and pay an official goodwill visit to North Korea, Xinhua reported, adding the Chinese official noted how the two countries have enjoyed a “profound traditional friendship” as socialist neighbors. China’s foreign ministry earlier said Li will pay an official visit to North Korea from Thursday to Saturday, leading a party and government delegation.

North Korea, which celebrates the party founding anniversary on Oct. 10 each year, is widely expected to stage a large-scale military parade marking the date as early as Thursday, according to sources.