Professor Cho Jae-hyun was a student in the first class at the Vietnamese faculty at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in 1967, the first Vietnamese language department in the country.
He is now Permanent Vice President of the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Association and Chairman of the Asian Cultural Exchange Foundation.
The professor has also been an advisor on policies towards Vietnam for many Republic of Korea presidents.
"I have witnessed several important milestones between the two countries in the process of establishing diplomatic relations," Professor Cho Jae-hyun said.
The professor recognises that establishing diplomatic relations was a major victory not only for Vietnam but also for the Republic of Korea.
The two countries have recorded fruitful achievements over the last three decades, helping to boost their bilateral relations to “comprehensive cooperation”, especially in the economic area.
He said bilateral trade between the two countries was only 500 million USD in 1992. The figure had rocketed to nearly 70 billion USD by 2020, an increase of about 140 times. As of the end of June 2021, bilateral trade turnover for the year stood at 36 billion USD. The two governments have also shown strong cooperation in international matters.
Professor Cho Jae-hyun has also been very active in charity work in Ho Chi Minh City. He said there are many things he wants to do for Vietnam and to help strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries./.
