BEIJING (AP) — North Korea is marking the 80th anniversary of its ruling Workers’ Party on Friday, with commemorations drawing a host of foreign dignitaries and signaling deepening ties with key allies, including China and Russia.
The celebrations serve as a platform for North Korea to showcase its strengthening diplomatic and military relationships with its few remaining international partners. While full details of the anniversary events have not been disclosed, foreign delegations have begun arriving in Pyongyang for what is expected to be a highly symbolic and closely watched gathering.
Over the years, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has relied on China as his regime’s primary ally. More recently, he has cultivated closer ties with Russia, even sending North Korean troops and weapons to aid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a high-profile display of alignment, Kim stood alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Beijing in September for a major military parade commemorating the end of World War II.
Here are some of the key figures attending the anniversary celebrations:
China’s Premier Li Qiang
Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency. His visit marks the highest-level Chinese delegation to North Korea since 2019.
Li, a member of the seven-member Standing Committee of the Communist Party’s Politburo — the top decision-making body in China — is considered the second-most powerful figure in the country after President Xi. His attendance signals Beijing’s continued support for Kim’s regime. Li has increasingly represented China in major international events, including the UN General Assembly in September.
Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and current deputy head of the country’s Security Council (chaired by Putin), is representing Moscow at the anniversary events. North Korea’s state media KCNA confirmed his attendance earlier this week.
North Korea and Russia have rapidly strengthened ties over the past year, with Pyongyang supplying ammunition and even combat troops to bolster Russia’s efforts in Ukraine. Medvedev’s presence highlights the strategic partnership forming between the two isolated states.
Vietnam’s Communist Party Leader To Lam
Vietnamese state media reported that To Lam, the General Secretary of Vietnam’s Communist Party and the country’s de facto top leader, also arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday.
To Lam holds the same party position as Kim Jong Un — General Secretary of the ruling party — underscoring the ideological alignment between the two nations. His visit also coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between North Korea and Vietnam. He was welcomed with an official ceremony hosted by Kim himself.
Laos’ President Thongloun Sisoulith
Laos will be represented by President Thongloun Sisoulith, who also serves as General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. His participation was confirmed last week by North Korea’s state media.
The presence of these top leaders signals North Korea’s effort to solidify alliances and project international legitimacy at a time when it remains heavily isolated from much of the world due to its nuclear weapons program and ongoing human rights abuses.
While the full agenda for the commemorative events remains unclear, observers expect them to feature military displays, parades, and tightly choreographed ceremonies — all aimed at reinforcing Kim Jong Un’s grip on power and the regime’s message of resistance against Western pressure.
