Vietnam, RoK look to beef up comprehensive cooperation

The Republic of Korea (RoK) has always been an important partner for ASEAN and Vietnam, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told RoK Deputy Foreign Minister Yeo Seung-bae at a meeting in Hanoi on November 30.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) and RoK Deputy Foreign Minister Yeo Seung-bae (Photo: VNA)
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) and RoK Deputy Foreign Minister Yeo Seung-bae (Photo: VNA)

Seung-bae, head of ASEAN Senior Officials (SOM) of the RoK, paid a courtesy visit to the Vietnamese FM on the occasion of his trip to Vietnam for attending the Vietnam-RoK consultation on the coordination of the ASEAN-RoK relationship in the 2021-2024 period, and the ASEAN high-level forum on sub-regional cooperation for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Minister Son affirmed that Vietnam will make every effort to fulfill its responsibility as coordinator of the ASEAN-RoK relations in the next three years, actively work to elevate the ASEAN-RoK strategic partnership and the Vietnam – RoK strategic partnership, and contribute to strengthening the Mekong-RoK Partnership.

The Vietnamese official highlighted the significance of the RoK’s active cooperation and support, which he said bring practical effects to ASEAN and Vietnam.

He also applauded the New Southern Policy Plus (NSPP) of the Asian country.

Minister Son suggested ASEAN and the RoK maintain trade and investment exchange, support and create favourable conditions for Korean investors and businesses to overcome impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and stabilize and expand their production and business activities.

Vietnam proposes organizing the ASEAN-RoK Day in Vietnam and the RoK in the next three years, he said.

For his part, Seung-bae affirmed that his country attaches great importance to Vietnam’s coordinating role, saying that the RoK will continue to work closely with Vietnam and other ASEAN countries in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting recovery, and lifting its partnership with ASEAN to a higher level in the coming time.

He suggested the two sides continue to support RoK firms in expanding investment and business in Vietnam, promote people-to-people exchange, labour and tourism, and strengthen security cooperation.