(VNF) - On August 16 in Hanoi, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organization hold a ceremony to award the medal ‘For Peace and Friendship’ to Korean Envoy cum General Consul in Vietnam Mr. Park Sang-Shik, for recognition of his active contributions to the development of friendly relations between Vietnam and Korea.

Mr. Don Tuan Phong, Vice President cum General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (R) awards medal "For Peace and Friendship" to Mr. Park Sang-shik (Photo: VNF/Nhu Quynh)

Attending the ceremony, on the Vietnam side, was Don Tuan Phong, Vice President cum General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; Doan Mau Diep, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Secretary of Yen Bai Provincial Party Committee and Mr. Nguyen Huu The, Vice Chairman of Lao Cai People's Committee together with representatives of relevant agencies and universities in Vietnam.

On the Korean side, there is Mr. Lee Teuk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Korea to Vietnam; Mr. Park Sang-Shik, Korean Envoy and General Consul, and Korean Embassy staff.

At the ceremony, Vice Chairman Don Tuan Phong highly appreciated Park Sang-Shik's great contributions to the development of the Vietnam-South Korea friendship cooperation, adding that although his not so long working time in Vietnam, Mr. Park Sang-Shik has made an active contribution to bringing the two countries closer, especially in economic, cultural and scientific fields and people exchange.

Mr. Don Tuan Phong said, the awarding of medal “For Peace and Friendship” to Mr. Park Sang-Shik is not only the recognition for his personal contribution but also the close cooperation of Korean Embassy with Vietnam. The presence of representatives from Yen Bai and Lao Cai provinces is a concrete testimony of Mr. Park’s contribution to the development of these localities.

Mr. Don Tuan Phong also deeply thanks to the Ambassador of South Korea Lee Teuk and the staff of the Embassy, who have made efforts to promote the relationship of the two countries.

Mr. Park Sang-Shik has made active contributions to the development of Vietnam - Korea friendship relations. (Photo: VNF/Nhu Quynh)

For his part, Mr. Park Sang-Shik expressed honor to receive the noble awards on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Korea.

He said the relationship between the two countries has developed rapidly. Before his arrival to Vietnam, the number of Korean businesses in Vietnam was only about 3,000. Now, the figure has risen to 6,000. Korea always ranked top investor to Vietnam and Vietnam’s second – largest ODA provider. In addition, Vietnam has also become Korea's third largest export market. Mr. Park Sang-Shik hopes that with the decision to simplify visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens, South Korea will welcome more Vietnamese tourists to the country in the future.

Mr. Park Sang-shik emphasized, though in any capacity or he will keep talking about Vietnam and devote himself to tighten solidarity and friendship between the two peoples as well as cooperation, development Between the two countries.

Park Sang-Shik also sent his deepest regards to the northern mountainous provinces of Vietnam, who are suffering from the effects of floods and typhoons, and hoped the rescue and recovery work will be quickly carried out.

Ngoc Tran