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Relationship dossier

Laos North Korea

Relationship assessment

Longstanding friendly ties reinforced by high-level visits, with the scope of practical cooperation unclear.

Laos toward North Korea

+20

Lao President Choummaly Sayasone made a state visit to North Korea in 2011, demonstrating high-level Lao government engagement with the North Korean government.

North Korea toward Laos

+20

North Korean official Kim Yong-nam visited Laos in 2011, demonstrating high-level North Korean government engagement with the Lao government.

Overall relationship

+25

The relationship has a longstanding friendly character and has included high-level engagement by leaders from both governments. The extent and durability of practical cooperation beyond these contacts remain unclear.

How to read these scores

Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.

−100
Extreme sustained hostility
−50
Substantially adversarial
0
Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
+50
Substantially cooperative
+100
Exceptionally close sustained partnership

“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.

Relationship context

Knowledge coverageLimited

Overview

Laos and North Korea maintain longstanding friendly government ties, reinforced by high-level visits. Lao President Choummaly Sayasone visited North Korea in 2011, and North Korean official Kim Yong-nam visited Laos that year. The relationship reflects diplomatic engagement, though its practical scope and the extent of sustained cooperation are unclear.

Key developments

Major uncertainties

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