Vietnam - RoK Relationship - Typical Example Int'l Relations

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and Speaker of the RoK’s National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo. Photo: VNA

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong applauded the progress in the Vietnam - Republic of Korea (RoK) relations while receiving Speaker of the RoK’s National Assembly (NA) Kim Jin-pyo in Hanoi on January 17, VNA reported.

Welcoming his guest’s official visit after the two countries’ recent upgrade of their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the host leader said bilateral relations have been developing on the basis of the long-standing links, many common interests, complementary strengths, and achievements over the last 30 years since their diplomatic ties were set up.

He recommended the countries maintain close coordination to develop cooperation more substantively and effectively, in which focus should be put on increasing high-level mutual visits and meetings to enhance mutual understanding, discuss major policies and orientations for relations, and step up connections between their ministries, sectors, and localities.

In terms of parliamentary diplomacy, they should build on the cooperation outcomes and share legislative experiences to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Korean enterprises and people in each other’s countries, he added.

The Party General Secretary expressed his belief that the visit by Speaker Kim will greatly contribute to the comprehensive strategic partnership.

For his part, Kim agreed with his host’s opinions about the enhancement of bilateral connections, expressing his delight at the fast development of the Vietnam - RoK ties, especially the upgrade to the comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Vietnam - RoK relationship is a typical example in international relations, he opined.

He affirmed that the RoK attaches importance to Vietnam’s position in its new strategies and initiatives towards the region, including the RoK - ASEAN Solidarity Initiative.

The Speaker also pledged continued dedications so that the two countries’ relations will grow unceasingly, strongly, and effectively in the next 30 years.

Concluding the meeting, the two leaders agreed on major orientations for promoting relations between their countries.

The same day, Speaker Kim also met Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in Hanoi.

PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Speaker of the RoK’s National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo in Hanoi on January 17. Photo: VNA

Both host and guest noted with satisfaction that the two countries’ relations have been developing unceasingly in all aspects over 30 years since bilateral diplomatic relations were set up.

Currently, the RoK ranks first among foreign investors in Vietnam with total capital reaching USD 80.5 billion; second in terms of development cooperation, tourism, and labour; and third in terms of trade with revenue hitting USD 88 billion in 2022.

About 8,000 Korean enterprises are operating in Vietnam. Meanwhile, some 200,000 citizens of each country are living in the other country, including about 80,000 multicultural families.

Speaker Kim appreciated the Vietnamese Government’s attention to the development of the Korean business community.

He called on the Government of Vietnam to support his country’s hosting of World Expo 2023 in Busan; continue facilitating Korean firms’ operations in Vietnam; help Korean banks open branches; facilitate RoK citizens' travel, work, and life in Vietnam; and back the expansion of the RoK’s educational establishments in the Southeast Asian nation.

PM Chinh pledged to consider his guest’s proposals.

To achieve the goals of the Vietnam - RoK comprehensive strategic partnership, he asked Kim and the RoK’s parliament to continue promoting substantive, efficient, and effective cooperation; increase all-level delegation exchanges and meetings between the countries’ Parties, Governments, and NAs; intensify cooperation in security and defence, especially the defence industry; and help Vietnam improve the capacity of its law enforcement forces at sea.

As economic ties remain an important pillar of bilateral cooperation, Chinh asked the two sides to work together to fruitfully implement the Vietnam - RoK Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to raise bilateral trade to USD 100 billion in 2023 and USD 150 billion by 2030 in a balanced and sustainable manner.

Vietnam welcomes Korean enterprises' expansion of investment, especially in high technology, science-technology, innovation, green economy, digital economy, digital transformation, clean energy, smart city, and eco-city development, the PM noted, calling on them to create conditions for Vietnamese businesses to take part in supply chains to help Vietnam soon become a centre of regional and global value chains.

He expressed his hope for the RoK’s continuation of ODA cooperation mechanisms and assistance for Vietnamese people in the RoK. He also pledged support for Korean investors and citizens in Vietnam.

At the meeting, PM Chinh also affirmed that Vietnam always pays attention to and is ready to actively contribute to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, and that it advocates efforts to maintain peace in the Northeast Asian region via dialogue and by peaceful means.

For his part, Speaker Kim said the RoK supports and shares the common vision on the safeguarding of security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the Bien Dong Sea; the maintenance of peace, stability, and legal order; the peaceful settlement of sea disputes; and the ensuring of countries’ rights and legitimate interests in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Speaker of the RoK's NA Kim Jin-pyo. Photo: VNA

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese top legislator emphasized that strengthening political and diplomatic trust will be the foundation to promote cooperation in other fields such as economics, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.

On the basis of the recent upgrade of the bilateral relations to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" status, the two leaders agreed to expand collaboration in technology transfer, human resources training, and defense technology.

Hue proposed the RoK continue assisting Vietnam in overcoming post-war consequences, including the project on the Vietnam-Republic of Korea peace village for the 2022- 2026 period.

The Vietnamese legislature is willing to organize exchange forums within the parliamentary framework to create legal frameworks for the formation of an equitable and sustainable digital transformation and energy transition ecosystem.

Speaker Kim agreed with his Vietnamese counterpart’s proposals on the increase in the number of Vietnamese workers in the RoK such as skilled laborers, nurses, and information technology engineers. They also agreed on the promotion of vocational training for Vietnamese workers to meet the needs of Korean enterprises.

He added that his country has completed domestic procedures for a bilateral agreement on social insurance between the two countries, hoping that Vietnam will complete its procedures to allow the agreement to be implemented soon.

The two sides also agreed to regularly exchange information to remove problems related to visas and work permits in order to create the most favorable conditions for the two people.

The two sides were unanimous in maintaining coordination in effectively implementing the cooperation agreements signed by the two NAs in 2013. They are considering the supplementation or signing of a new document to conform to the comprehensive strategic partnership and the current international situation.

The two National Assemblies will continue strengthening coordination and mutual support at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums, making active contributions to maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region and the world, they said.

Earlier the same day, Speaker Kim, his spouse and the RoK delegation laid a wreath in tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum.

In the evening, Chairman Hue is scheduled to chair a banquet for the RoK NA Speaker and his entourage.

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