Vietnam, RoK intensify defence collaboration

Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh and his RoK counterpart Suh Choo-suk co-chaired the sixth Vietnam-the Republic of Korea (RoK) defence policy dialogue at deputy ministerial level in Seoul on September 8.

Deputy Minister Suh Choo-suk highlighted progress in cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK and the two defence ministries. 

He said that the RoK is willing to support Vietnam in areas of Vietnam’s demand such as personnel training, foreign language teaching, overcoming war aftermath, including dioxin detoxification, bomb and mine clearance, and maritime security.

Besides, the RoK side will work closely with Vietnam in cyber security, including the training of experts and sharing of experience, the deputy minister said. 

He particularly noted the joint work in peace keeping, with the RoK sharing with Vietnam its experience in the UN peace-keeping activities through the exchanges of delegation and personnel training assistance on the foundation of a cooperation agreement signed in September 2015.

Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh
Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh

Deputy Minister Vinh said that it is necessary to take a new approach to collaboration to cope with newly-emerging security challenges such as those related to cyber security, genetic modification, biotechnology, robot, and artificial intelligence.

He held that the two countries have built close defence cooperation across many areas.

Especially, the RoK has assisted Vietnam greatly in overcoming war aftermaths. Recently, the country offered US$20 million to Vietnam for bomb and mine clearance in some central localities, he noted.

At the same time, the Vietnam-RoK maritime security affiliation has also been fruitful, contributing to the safeguarding of Vietnam’s sovereignty and maritime routes in one of the most complicated area in the world.

The RoK’s present of three second-hand vessels to the Vietnam Coast Guard has greatly helped with the operation of the force, said Vinh.

Regarding the situation in the Korean Peninsula, he confirmed Vietnam’s stance of supporting a nuclear weapon-free area, as well as the settlement of issues through peaceful measures in line with international law and with respect for interest of all parties.

The two sides also discussed a number of regional and international matters of shared concern.

The Vietnam-RoK defence policy dialogue at deputy ministerial level is held annually with the first one taking place in 2012.

During his stay in the RoK from September 6-9 to attend the sixth Seoul Defence Dialogue 2017 and the Vietnam-RoK defence policy dialogue, Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh paid a courtesy call to RoK Minister of Defence Song Young-moo. 

Song Young-moo extended an invitation to visit the RoK to his Vietnamese counterpart Ngo Xuan Lich. He said that the RoK hopes to sign a statement on joint vision on Vietnam-RoK defence cooperation during Lich’s visit.

On September 7, Deputy Minister Vinh led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the sixth Seoul Defence Dialogue 2017 (SDD), which is a multilateral dialogue and cooperation mechanism for discussion of regional and international issues. 

The two-day dialogue brought together about 250 defence leaders and policy makers from more than 30 countries worldwide.

Themed “Visions for Security Cooperation in the Age of Uncertainty,” the four-session dialogue focused on nuclear and missile threats posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and security on the Korean peninsula; measures to build trust at sea; challenges to cyber security and defence cooperation; new terrorist forms and global cooperation in counterterrorism. 

The participants also looked into the fourth industrial revolution, defence science and technology, identities of future wars and defence policy. 

As a keynote speaker at the opening ceremony, Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne stressed the significance of maintaining the law-based international order and avoiding the potential of conflicts. 

Regarding bilateral defence cooperation between Australia and countries in the region, the minister said Australia has agreed to open English language classes to help Vietnam prepare for peace-keeping operations in South Sudan. 

On September 6, deputy defence ministers of the RoK and ASEAN nations also engaged in a dialogue that looks towards a new Northeast Asia of peace and security. 

Addressing the event, RoK Deputy Defence Minister Suh Choo-suk highlighted ASEAN’s key role in the region’s large-scale integration process, contributing to nurturing the practice of dialogue and cooperation between its member countries. 

ASEAN has rolled out various multilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the ASEAN 3, the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting. 

At the end of 2015, the ASEAN Community was formed with a population of 640 million, aiming to raise the group’s GDP to US$2.5 trillion in 2025.

Suh Choo Suk noted that three orientations for ASEAN-RoK future cooperation are to ensure sustainable prosperity, increase bilateral exchanges, and maintain a peaceful and secured Northeast Asian region.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh lauded the RoK’s first-time organisation of the dialogue between ASEAN and RoK deputy defence ministers.

The dialogue creates a new communication channel for both sides to strengthen their cooperation toward practical outcomes, he added.

The official stated Vietnam supports the initiative and is willing to join hands to make it a success.

On the sideline of the Seoul Defence Dialogue 2017, Vinh met with his Canadian counterpart Jody Thomas on September 7.

Vietnam always thinks of Canada as an Asia-Pacific nation and values defence ties with Canada, he said, adding that the ties, however, is yet to meet its full potential.

He asked the Canadian side to boost collaboration with Vietnam, particularly in training Vietnamese officers in English and French to prepare them for UN peacekeeping missions. 

Vinh invited Canadian officers to learn the Vietnamese language at universities in Vietnam and study military arts at the National Defence Academy of Vietnam.

He said Vietnam welcomes Canadian naval ships to visit the country for joint search-and-rescue drills and hopes to boost cooperation with Canada concerning air force, cyberspace and alleviation of war consequences.

For her part, Jody Thomas said Canada is committed to promoting peace and security in Asia-Pacific.

Canada will increase its engagements with Vietnam in marine police cooperation, anti-terrorism and humanitarian aid.
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.