SEOUL, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh agreed Tuesday to strengthen cooperation across all sectors, including cutting-edge industries and science and technology, while discussing ways to meet the goal of US$150 billion in two-way trade by 2030, Han’s office said.
Chinh arrived in Seoul on Sunday for a four-day official visit at Han’s invitation, becoming the highest-level Vietnamese official to make such a trip since the two countries upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022.
The two noted their countries have achieved “rapid growth” as each other’s third-largest trading partner and key investment partner over the period of a generation, and discussed ways to expand trade and investment to reach the goal of $150 billion in two-way trade by 2030, according to Han’s office.
They also agreed to further strengthen cooperation and support in order to expand cooperation in each sector, including cutting-edge and future industries, science and
technology, development cooperation, small and medium-sized enterprises, critical mineral supply chains, and cultural and tourism exchanges.
“Prime Minister Chinh said he will not spare any assistance for the smooth operation of South Korean businesses, with South Korea being the biggest investor nation in Vietnam,” Han’s office said in a press release. “He expressed his expectation for South Korea’s active support for the strengthening of Vietnam’s research and development capabilities and nurturing of its industrial work force.”
The two prime ministers agreed to work closely together for Vietnam’s successful hosting of the 2025 summit of the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) initiative.
“Prime Minister Han expressed his expectation for the faithful implementation of the South Korea-Vietnam climate change cooperation agreement, and the acceleration of bilateral cooperation for the response to climate change, including policy and technical exchanges, and active private sector inve
stments,” his office said.
The talks also covered topics such as North Korea’s nuclear program, the South China Sea and Vietnam’s plans to open a consulate general in South Korea’s southeastern port city of Busan.
Following the talks, the prime ministers attended the signing of nine documents, including memoranda of understanding, between the two countries’ agencies handling development cooperation, trade and investment, small and medium-sized businesses, and other areas.
Han was set to host a dinner later in the day for Chinh and his wife, Le Thi Bich Tran, at his official residence in Seoul.
Meanwhile, Chinh held a separate meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol at the presidential office, during which Yoon voiced his hope for further cooperation in trade, investment and defense.
Yoon asked the prime minister to actively support South Korean business operations in Vietnam, saying he hopes the companies will participate in Vietnam’s liquefied natural gas development projects and critical minerals developm
ent, according to the presidential office.
Yoon also stressed the importance of strictly enforcing U.N. Security Council sanctions on North Korea, to which Chinh responded that he supports Yoon’s vision for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Source: Yonhap News Agency