Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung has announced that the bilateral relations between South Korea and Vietnam are on the verge of reaching unprecedented levels of cooperation, focusing on "strategic and future-oriented" areas, including artificial intelligence and infrastructure development.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee made these comments during a media interview ahead of the state visit by Vietnam's top leader, To Lam, who is scheduled to arrive in South Korea early next week. Lee emphasized Vietnam's role as an "indispensable" partner in economic, peace, and stability efforts. He highlighted that the relationship between the two countries extends beyond trade and investment to include collaboration in national infrastructure, science and technology, and human resources training.
Lee's office confirmed that To Lam's four-day visit to South Korea, starting Sunday, marks the first state visit by a foreign leader since Lee assumed the presidency in early June. This visit underscores the importance that South Korea places on its relationship with Vietnam and is seen as a significant chapter in the ongoing bilateral ties.
Lee stressed the robust economic cooperation over the past three decades, noting that Vietnam is South Korea's third-largest trading partner, with over 10,000 Korean companies operating in the country. He described Vietnam as having the potential to become a hub for new growth industries, owing to its young and talented workforce and favorable investment environment. Lee expressed confidence that both nations would continue to be reliable partners for each other.
Additionally, Lee highlighted Vietnam's crucial role in supporting Seoul's peace initiatives on the Korean Peninsula. He noted that Vietnam is an essential partner in the broader transition towards reconciliation and cooperation between the two Koreas, given that peace and denuclearization are not just regional issues.
Lee also mentioned the vibrant people-to-people exchanges between the two nations, with over 5 million mutual visits annually. He humorously noted that the Vietnamese city of Da Nang is often referred to as "Da Nang of Gyeonggi Province" by South Koreans due to its popularity as a vacation destination. He further highlighted the presence of around 100,000 Korean-Vietnamese multicultural families in Korea, describing them as "civilian diplomats" who strengthen the bilateral ties through their personal connections and exchanges.