Foreign Ministry’s spokesman clarifies citizen protection abroad

Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Le Hai Binh answered questions regarding citizen protection abroad during a regular press briefing in Hanoi on March 30.

Regarding the murder of a nine-year-old Vietnamese girl in Japan, Binh strongly condemned such inhuman killing and conveyed the deepest condolences to her family.

Upon hearing the news, the Foreign Ministry directed the Vietnamese embassy in Japan to work closely with Japanese authorities to clarify and bring the case to the light, he said and expressed his belief that Japan will soon find the culprit and strictly deal with the case.

Asked about the embassy’s support to the victim’s family, Binh said the embassy accompanied the family during the search, even sent staff to help during the weekend, as well as partnered with Japanese agencies concerned tackling the case.

On the suicide of a young Vietnamese man in the prefecture of Osaka, the spokesman said the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka promptly contacted the police of Nishinari ward to learn about the case.

According to him, the local police are yet to provide any relevant information because the investigation is ongoing. The Foreign Ministry requested the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka to continue working closely with local authorities during the process.

Turning to the death of a Vietnamese national in a detention centre in Japan, Binh said the Vietnamese embassy in Japan is working with Japanese agencies concerned on the case but not any information has been revealed so far.

About legal protection for Doan Thi Huong, a suspect in the death of Democratic People’s Republic of Korean citizen Kim Chol in Malaysia, Binh assured reporters that two Malaysian defence lawyers for Huong are highly capable and more information will be provided in a suitable time.

Regarding the arrest of 43 Vietnamese fishermen and three vessels in Solomon, Binh said the Vietnamese embassy in Australia and Solomon is working with Solomon authorities to verify the information and will take appropriate citizen protection measures. -VNA