The collaboration between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea, which is based on the establishment of a bilateral strategic cooperative partnership in 2009 and a high level of mutual political trust, actively contributes to regional peace, stability and development.

Cultural similarities and the Vietnamese and Korean communities of more than 100,000 expatriates living in the two countries respectively form an important basis for enhancing mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation, State President Truong Tan Sang said during his reception for RoK Minister of Defence Han Min-koo in Hanoi on May 28^th.

The President welcomed the minister to visit Vietnam from May 27^th – 29^th to discuss reinforcing the two countries’ strategic cooperative partnership, especially in the field of national defence and trade.

President Truong Tan Sang (R) receives RoK Minister of Defence Han Min-koo (Photo: VNA)

He hailed the outcomes of the talks held between the two defence ministers and suggested the two sides implement the signed cooperation agreements as soon as possible, while also proposing new initiatives to deepen bilateral relations.

Han Min-koo told the President that the two defence ministers agreed to enhance Vietnam-RoK defence ties in the near future through exchanging delegations regularly and sharing military experience.

He proposed the two sides step up cooperation in the field of military industry.

Host and guest expressed their appreciation for the growing ties between Vietnam and the RoK, especially on the economy, defence and people-to-people exchanges.

Minister Han noted that the Vietnamese community was integrating well into its host society and making active contributions to development in the RoK.

The two sides also discussed issues relating to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.

Vietnam and the RoK signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation in 2010. The two countries have been holding bilateral strategic defence dialogues at the deputy ministerial level since 2012./.

VNF/VNA