PM highlights Vietnam-RoK, ASEAN-RoK fruitful cooperation

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has highly valued cooperative relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK), as well as between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the RoK.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse at Gimhae military airport in the RoK's Busan city (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse at Gimhae military airport in the RoK's Busan city (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has highly valued cooperative relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK), as well as between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the RoK.

“Vietnam considers the RoK a leading important partner in all spheres, while the RoK has regarded Vietnam as a key partner in its New Southern Policy,” PM Phuc said on the occasion of his trip to the RoK to attend the ASEAN-RoK Commemorative Summit and the first Mekong-RoK Summit whilst paying an official visit to the country.

Vietnam and the RoK set up diplomatic ties in 1992, and the two countries upgraded the relationship to the level of “comprehensive partnership in the 21st century” in 2002 before lifting to a strategic cooperative partnership in 2009.

As well as economic links, people-to-people exchanges and collaboration in national defence and security, culture, education, sports and tourism have developed robustly, PM Phuc said.

He added that the RoK has always taken the lead in foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam and ranked second in provision of official development assistance (ODA) and third in trade and tourism cooperation with the country.

Vietnam is also the RoK’s fourth largest trading partner with two-way trade expected to hit 67 billion USD this year, making up 40 percent of total trade revenue between the ASEAN and the RoK.

During a State visit to Vietnam by President Moon Jae-in in March 2018, the two countries agreed to promote trade cooperation in an equal and sustainable manner, aiming to raise the bilateral trade to 100 billion USD in 2020.

“Vietnam wants to further expand and deepen its strategic cooperative partnership with the RoK in all spheres, effectively implementing cooperation and dialogue mechanisms for diplomacy, national defence and security, and economy, thus benefitting people from both sides,” he affirmed.

The leader also noted with achievements made in ASEAN-RoK relations over the past 30 years, especially since 2010 when the two sides elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership.

PM Phuc said since 2014, the two sides have realised the “joint declaration on future vision of strategic partnership: building trust, bringing happiness,” adding that they have closely coordinated on regional and global issues.

The RoK is an important partner for the ASEAN and has actively participated in forums led and established by the grouping such as the East-Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Plus Three.

Trade between the ten-member group and the RoK increased from 10.3 billion USD in 1990 to 160 billion USD last year, he said.

The leader emphasised that both the ASEAN and the RoK are striving to implement the 2016-2020 action plan with various activities and projects. The ASEAN has received active support from the East Asian country in building the ASEAN Community, especially after President Moon announced the New Southern Policy and the 3P (people, peace, prosperity) initiative.

Vietnam has selected “Cohesive and Responsive” as the theme of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020,  with a focus on enhancing intra-bloc solidarity and promoting the role and contributions of the bloc to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region; and taking the lead in coping with external challenges and settling regional and international issues.

As the ASEAN Chair, Vietnam will continue to carry forward its role and constructively contribute to ensuring peace, stability and security in the region and the world, including the Korean Peninsula, PM Phuc said.

He reiterated that the consistent stance of Vietnam and the ASEAN is supporting the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and calling for relevant sides to maintain dialogue and fully implement reached agreements towards long-term and sustainable peace on the peninsula.

“Vietnam and other ASEAN members call on the RoK to cooperate in preserving peace with respect for international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, ensuring security, safety and freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea,” he said.

VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.