Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary To Lam has affirmed Vietnam’s appreciation of ties with the Republic of Korea (RoK), expressing readiness to work closely with the new Korean administration to further elevate the bilateral relationship to new heights, making it more substantive, effective, and comprehensive.
During a reception in Hanoi on June 5 for RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young-sam, Lam extended congratulations to Lee Jae Myung on his election as the Rok’s 21st President, believing that the new leadership would steer the country toward stability and growth.
Reflecting on over three decades of diplomatic relations since 1992, Lam highlighted the milestone of upgrading ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022. He noted considerable progress in political trust, alongside economic, tourism, and sci-tech collaboration, positioning Vietnam and the RoK as key partners on the back of leaders’ political will and support of their people.
The General Secretary called for enhanced collaboration in national defence-security, urging both countries to leverage existing mechanisms and accelerate an action plan to achieve balanced bilateral trade with a target of 150 billion USD by 2030. He encouraged Korean companies to expand investments in Vietnam, particularly in transferring core and foundational technologies, and sought support in training a skilled workforce in semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
Additional areas for collaboration included energy, culture, tourism, citizen protection and local partnerships, as well as mutual support at international forums like the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meetings, which the RoK will host in November 2025 and Vietnam in 2027.
Choi, for his part, affirmed that the RoK’s new government will continue to consider Vietnam a key partner in its regional foreign policy and hoped that both sides will further boost economic ties, particularly in areas where the RoK’s expertise aligns with Vietnam’s needs.
He praised Vietnam’s recent pro-business policies, noting they have spurred Korean firms to expand operations. Amid a volatile geopolitical landscape, the RoK wishes to work closely with Vietnam to further boost their comprehensive strategic partnership in various fields, including politics, economy, culture, education, and sci-tech, he added./.
