According to the Yonhap News Agency, from May 26 to May 27 local time, at the invitation of North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, Singapores Foreign Minister Vivian Tan conducted a working visit to North Korea.
This is the first visit by a Singaporean Foreign Minister to North Korea in 8 years. In June 2018, Vivian Tan went to Pyongyang to hold talks with then-North Korean Foreign Minister Kim Kyeong-chul regarding the preparations for the meeting between North Korean and American leaders in Singapore.
The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that a bilateral meeting was held between the Vietnamese and Korean representatives on the 26th. The two parties engaged in open and extensive discussions regarding issues such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula, regional security, and international developments. Both sides also reaffirmed their long-standing friendly and cooperative bilateral relations.
Singapores Foreign Minister Kavan (left) visited North Korea from May 26th to May 27th at the invitation of North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore
Singapore and North Korea established diplomatic relations in 1975. In 2025, they will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic ties. A statement in Vietnamese was published on social media, stating that the relationship between the two countries is based on mutual respect. This relationship has been sustained through continuous interactions over the years.
The Vietnamese also called for North Korea to engage in positive and beneficial interactions with the region, and to keep communication channels open.
He also invited Choi San-gi to participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum. North Korea joined the forum in 2000. It is the only regional multilateral security dialogue platform where North Korea participates and continues to attend regularly. Next year, Singapore will take on the role of rotating chair of ASEAN, and the ASEAN Regional Forum will be held in Singapore in July 2027.
This trip also includes a meeting with Zhao Yongyuan, Chairman of the Permanent Committee of the Supreme Peoples Assembly of North Korea, and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Korean Labor Party.
According to the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zhao Yongyuan explained recent political developments in North Korea in Vietnamese. The Vietnamese emphasized that given the current unstable situation, it is crucial for countries to continue dialogue and communication.
In the post, the Vietnamese wrote: It is hoped that both countries will continue to play their roles during these challenging regional circumstances, and contribute to promoting peace and stability.
Both parties also recalled Kim Jong-uns visit to New Zealand in 2018, during which a Special Kim Meeting was held. The Vietnamese described Kim Jong-uns visit as historic. They stated that even in difficult circumstances, dialogue, diplomacy, and contact remain crucial.
In the next step, Wei Wen will visit South Korea. Since there are no direct flights between North Korea and South Korea, passengers generally need to transfer in Beijing or Shenyang in China. After completing his visit to Pyongyang, Wei Wen will go to Shenyang and meet with Gu Jun, the deputy governor of Liaoning Province.
In the post, the Wen language version revealed that Gu Jun introduced to him the progress made by Liaoning in promoting economic transformation and upgrading. Both parties exchanged views on the development of Northeast China, and discussed ways to deepen cooperation between Singapore and Liaoning. He also mentioned that Liaoning is an important industrial base in Northeast China, with advantages in manufacturing, petrochemicals, and shipbuilding industries.
