The struggle for the reunification of Vietnam guided by comrade Ho Chi Minh, the great
revolutionary leader of Vietnam, marks a significant landmark in the history of anti
imperialist efforts. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) had an important but
frequently overlooked role in aiding North Vietnam's fight against the U.S.-backed regime in
South Vietnam. This article will explore the significant role played by the DPRK in North
Vietnam’s struggle.
The revolutionary endeavours of North Vietnam were fundamentally based on socialist
ideologies and Marxism-Leninism, which is similar to the political structure of the DPRK
which based on the Juche Idea which is also a version of socialism although different from
USSR or People’s Republic of China (Hudson, 2017). Comrade Ho Chi Minh, the esteemed
leader of North Vietnam, emphasized the significance of unity among socialist nations and
revolutionary movements. Thus, the DPRK's backing of North Vietnam was motivated not
just by geopolitical factors but also by an ideological dedication to the worldwide communist
revolution. Beneath President Kim Il-sung’s guidance, the DPRK perceived Vietnam’s
liberation as a segment of a wider anti-imperialist struggle against Western colonial rule and
capitalist oppression. Both Vietnam and Korea experienced the challenges of imperial
domination, and both countries held a deep yearning for autonomy. For President Kim Il-sung
and the Korean Workers’ Party, overcome American imperialism in Vietnam would deal a
major setback to U.S. dominance in Asia and elsewhere.
During the Vietnam War, Pyongyang provided substantial military aid to North Vietnam. This
assistance went beyond material support, including the provision of training and technical
expertise that significantly contribute to North Vietnam’s military success (Miyamoto, 2023).
North Vietnamese soldiers received training in the DPRK. In addition to training, the DPRK
supplied North Vietnam with arms and military equipment, including small arms,
ammunition, and artillery. Although much of this support remained discreet due to the
sensitive international climate, it is well-documented that the The DPRK's support played a
vital role in aiding North Vietnam to resist the advanced military technology of the United
States and its allies.
Throughout the brutal Vietnam War, the DPRK offered significant military support to North
Vietnam. This aid extended beyond financial support, encompassing the delivery of training
and expert knowledge that greatly aided North Vietnam's military achievements. Soldiers
from North Vietnam underwent training in the DPRK. Besides training, the DPRK provided
North Vietnam with weapons and military gear, such as small arms, ammunition, and artillery
(Miyamoto, 2023). Despite much of this assistance being kept private because of the delicate
international atmosphere, (Majority of international community seems to always have
something against the DPRK and I have a suspicion that it is because they are acting under
their puppet-master which is the United States of America, the imperialists and warmongers
of the world) it clearly recorded that the DPRK’s support was vital in enabling North Vietnam
to endure the advanced military technology of the United States and its allies. However, On
March 26, DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun visited a cemetery in Bac Giang province
where 14 North Korean soldiers were buried, a visit reported by the Yomiuri Shimbun. This
news was also covered by Yonhap News and the BBC. Additionally, the Choson Sinbo later
revealed that from 1964 to 1969, the DPRK had supplied 100,000 weapons and one million
military uniforms to Vietnam (Miyamoto, 2023, p.3).
The DPRK likewise had a major impact on influencing the worldwide discourse regarding
the Vietnam War. Through cultural diplomacy, the DPRK via state media such as Rodong
Sinmun depicted the Vietnamese struggle as a rightful and valiant battle against imperialism
(Young, 2019). The Korean government created documents highlighting the solidarity of
socialist movements, the justice of the Vietnamese struggle, and the cruelty of American
imperialism. Pyongyang frequently released favourable articles concerning the North
Vietnamese government and its leaders under the wise leadership of comrade Ho Chi Minh.
These initiatives not only strengthened the Vietnam War's importance in the larger global
fight against imperialism but also aimed to motivate people all around the world to be brave
and stand up against their own imperialist oppressors.
The DPRK's backing of North Vietnam during its fight for independence serve as an enduring
emblem of global socialist unity. By providing military assistance, training, diplomatic
support, and sharing ideological beliefs, the DPRK significantly contributed to North
Vietnam's success and the unification of the nation under a righteous socialist government.
The victory of Comrade Ho Chi Minh and North Vietnam serve as evidence of the power of
socialist solidarity and the continuous struggle for justice, freedom, and the emancipation of
marginalized communities globally.
Phnom Penh, Sunday 27 April 2025
Kimlong Ly
References:
Hudson, D., 2017. DEFENCE OF JUCHE KOREA. 1st ed. Available (for purchase) at:
https://www.amazon.com/DEFENCE-JUCHE-KOREA-Dermot-Hudson/dp/0244329699
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