Korea, Vietnam agree to strengthen bilateral ties

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, right, shakes hands with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at the foreign ministry in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

The foreign ministers of Korea and Vietnam on Friday agreed to enhance cooperation in a wide range of areas, from security and defense to technology, trade and investment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

In a meeting between Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son during the latter’s three-day visit to Seoul, the two sides expressed strong commitment to further strengthening bilateral strategic relations.

The foreign ministers’ talks were part of an agreement reached between the two countries’ leaders when President Yoon Suk Yeol paid a state visit to Vietnam in June 2023. Korea and Vietnam elevated their relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" in December 2022.

During the talks, Cho said Vietnam is Korea’s No.3 trading partner and largest development partner among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It is also the most popular Southeast Asian country for Korean tourists.

“I’m pleased that our two countries are expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and deepening strategic cooperation in various fields following the elevation of of bilateral ties,” Cho said.

Son said the purpose of his visit to Korea is to review the action plan for implementing a comprehensive strategic partnership.

“The two countries have been strengthening political trust and expanding practical cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as economy trade, investment, science and technology, and defense and security,” Son said.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also met with Son to discuss ways to further discuss the bilateral relationship.