By Kang Seung-woo
Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo discussed ways to enhance bilateral exchanges and economic cooperation with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, the group said Wednesday.
Park met the Vietnamese President for the first time in December 2007, when the group established the Kumho Asiana-Vietnam Scholarship and Cultural Foundation (KVSC) and since then, the two figures have met each other on four other occasions.
Kumho Asiana is the first Korean company President Sang to pay a visit to during his three-day stay here.
In the meeting, the group’s top executives and the Southeast Asian country’s government officials were also present.
“I hope that President Sang’s visit to Korea will help boost relationship between Korean and Vietnam,” the chairman said.
“Kumho Asian will also try its best to contribute to the economic development of the two countries.”
Currently, the group’s affiliates Asiana Airlines, Kumho Engineering and Construction, Kumho Tires and Kumho Buslines operate in Vietnam, with an investment of about $500 million so far.
Asiana Airlines opened a route to Ho Chi Minh City in 1993 for the first time in Korea and operates the largest number of Vietnamese flights among local players, while Kumho Tires built a state-of-the-art tire plant there in 2008.
“Despite his short three-day state visit, President Sang visited the group on Chairman Park’s request during an August meeting. We believe that this meeting will increase the expectations for our businesses in Vietnam,” said an official of the group.