South Korean president's visit ‘a milestone,’ says Party chief

Trong welcomed the South Korean President and his wife's visit after the upgrading of the two countries’ official relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" late last year, according to an announcement by the Communist Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations.

Trong said he believed President Yoon's visit was "a new milestone" in the strengthening of the two countries' relations, which he added would soar to "new heights."

He emphasized that the relationship between the two countries had been tested over time and had the potential to further develop for the benefit of peoples in both countries. He suggested the two sides plan more official visits to boost cooperation.

He said Vietnam would continue to promote economic renovation to be a good friend and reliable partner of all countries in the world, especially "close" countries like South Korea.

Yoon said Vietnam had been the focal point of South Korean cooperation in Asia, and the two countries have valued each other for the past 30 years. He said that the visit will be a new beginning for the next 30 years of South Korea - Vietnam relations.

Yoon suggested both sides pay attention to training their younger generations. He said that South Korea would continue to prioritize the training of Vietnamese students and the creation of favorable conditions for Vietnamese students to study at South Korean tech schools.

South Korean President is paying a state visit to Vietnam on June 22-24. Yoon was given a 21-gun salute when he was received by Thuong in Hanoi on Friday morning.

Vietnam and Korea established diplomatic relations in 1992.

The relationship was upgraded to a "strategic cooperative partnership" in October 2009 and then a "comprehensive strategic partnership" last December.

South Korea is one of Vietnam’s most important partners, ranking first in terms of investment, second in official development aid, and third in trade.

Bilateral trade last year was worth US$87 billion, a 11.4% rise since 2021.

As of April 2023, Korea had invested nearly $82 billion in more than 9,500 projects in Vietnam.