Hur Nam-sik, Mayor of Busan city of the Republic of Korea, was awarded the Friendship Medal for his significant contributions to enhancing friendship and cooperation between his country and Vietnam.

Vietnamese Ambassador to RoK Pham Huu Chi, who handed over the award to Hur at a ceremony in Bussan on June 24, praised the recipient’s efforts in fostering economic and cultural links between Ho Chi Minh City and Busan, thus bolstering the strategic cooperation partnership between the two countries.

Hur said he was honoured and deeply moved to receive the medal, and affirmed that in any position, he will work harder to further develop the bilateral ties.

Under the leadership of the mayor, economic ties between the two southern cities of RoK and Vietnam saw a rapid development, with their trade turnover in 2013 reaching 2.2 billion USD.

Among 3,500 RoK firms operating in Vietnam, about 1,800 chose Ho Chi Minh City for their investment and business.

The people-to-people exchange between the two cities was also expanded incessantly, with about 30,000 Vietnamese people living and studying in Busan and about 80,000 those from RoK settling in Ho Chi Minh City. In June 2012, Hur decided to set up Busan city’s representative office in Ho Chi Minh City, with a hope of boosting investment and trade promotion and cooperation between the two sides’ authorities.

Besides, with the support of Busan’s authorities and the mayor in particular, the Vietnamese community has developed into a strong society, positively contributing to strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations.-VNA