Busan (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong visited Busan city and met with its Mayor Park Heong-joon on November 1 afternoon, part of his working visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) for the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Week and bilateral meetings.
Park expressed his pleasure at the flourishing relationship between the two countries across various areas, affirming that Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s visit in August 2025, during which the establishment of Vietnam’s Consulate General in Busan was announced, and President Cuong’s trip will greatly help promote practical cooperation between Busan and Vietnamese localities.
President Luong Cuong highlighted the official elevation of Vietnam – RoK ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022 after more than 30 years of diplomatic relations, saying that they have become each other’s leading partners in the region.
He emphasised the vast potential for bilateral cooperation, noting that both sides are striving to achieve the bilateral trade target of 150 billion USD by 2030 in a balanced and sustainable manner.
The Vietnamese leader congratulated Busan on its achievements in becoming the RoK’s second-largest economic hub and the world’s fifth-largest port city. He expressed gratitude to the city leadership for their strong support for Vietnam’s Consulate General in Busan.
He called on Busan to further expand cooperation with Vietnamese provinces and cities, particularly in the areas of its strengths such as seaport and shipbuilding.
On this occasion, President Cuong expressed his hope that the Busan administration will continue supporting the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in the city, thereby contributing to the city's development and strengthening its role as a bridge of friendship between the two countries.
Showing strong support for the President’s opinions, Park stated that Busan will keep working closely with Ho Chi Minh City and other Vietnamese localities to enhance substantive ties the areas matching both sides' strengths, especially seaport, shipbuilding, skilled workforce training, and tourism, thus contributing more to the RoK – Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Mayor affirmed that Busan authorities stand ready to support Vietnam’s Consulate General, while implementing policies to protect the legitimate interests of the 14,000 Vietnamese citizens in the city, helping them further integrate, contribute to local development, and serve as a friendship bridge between the two countries./.
