Vietnam has announced plans to build its first memorial dedicated to North Korean pilots who died during the Vietnam War, alongside a project to restore an existing cemetery where North Korean war dead are buried. The announcement was made after a meeting on Monday between delegations led by the Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister and North Korean officials.

The new memorial will be the first of its kind in Vietnam, specifically honoring North Korean pilots who fought and lost their lives alongside Vietnamese forces during the conflict. The restoration of the cemetery, which holds the remains of North Korean soldiers, will take place as part of the same initiative. Both projects have been described by officials from Vietnam and North Korea as efforts to honor the shared sacrifices made by their citizens during the war and to reinforce the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

During the Vietnam War, North Korean pilots participated in combat operations in support of Vietnamese forces. Until now, there has not been a formal memorial on Vietnamese soil recognizing their contribution. The new memorial is intended to provide a dedicated site for remembrance and to acknowledge the role North Korean personnel played during the conflict.

The announcement of these projects comes as Vietnam and North Korea seek to strengthen their bilateral ties. The two countries have a history of cooperation that dates back to the Cold War era, and the decision to build the memorial and restore the cemetery has been presented as a way to further solidify their diplomatic relationship. Both sides have emphasized that these efforts are meant to highlight the unique military and political connections that have existed between them for decades.

The planned memorial and cemetery restoration are expected to serve as symbols of solidarity and remembrance, providing a physical space for reflection on the shared history between Vietnam and North Korea. The initiative underscores renewed efforts by both governments to maintain and deepen their friendship, as well as to publicly recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by North Korean troops during the Vietnam War.