On Friday, prior to his departure,... Kim Jong-un met with his Vietnamese counterpart and other high-level officials... to discuss ways of strenghtening bilateral ties.<br />Park Hee-jun reports from Hanoi. The North Korean leader was granted a grand, red-carpet ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi.<br /> Kim Jong-un began his two-day Vietnam visit on Friday by holding bilateral talks with Vietnamese President and Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong.<br />Kim thanked the President for his generosity and support during the North Korea-U.S. summit.<br />According to the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency,... the two leaders discussed ways to enhance their friendship.<br />Kim emphasized the need to cooperate in all areas, including the economy, national defense, science, and culture.<br /><br /> The North Korean leader later met with Vietnam's Prime Minister and National Assembly Chairwoman.<br />The two sides wrapped up the evening with a dinner banquet.<br />Kim Jong-un was joined by top regime officials,... including Kim Yong-chol, Ri Yong-ho,<br />his younger sister Kim Yo-jong,... and famous North Korean singer Hyon Song-wol.<br /><br /> "This is the first visit to Vietnam by a North Korean leader in more than half-a-century. The previous visits were made by his grandfather Kim Il-sung back in 1958 and 1964."<br /><br /> It was also his first public appearance after his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.<br />Pyeongyang and Washington were unable to ink a deal on denuclearization,... with the U.S. saying North Korea made unreasonable demands for sanctions relief.<br />Park Hee-jun, Arirang News, Hanoi. <br />
