Prime Minister Chính’s Visit to RoK Aims to Deepen Strategic Cooperation: RoK PM

Seoul, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s official visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) from June 30 to July 3 is poised to reinforce political trust and deepen strategic cooperation between the two nations, according to RoK Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

In an exclusive interview with the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the visit, Prime Minister Han emphasized the significant role of high-level exchanges in fortifying the close ties between Việt Nam and the RoK. He noted that over the past 30 years, the two countries have established exemplary cooperative relations, becoming vital trade partners with a bilateral trade volume nearing USD 100 billion, anticipated to reach USD 150 billion by 2030.

“This marks the first official visit by a high-ranking Vietnamese official since the establishment of our comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022,” Han stated. “The consecutive high-level visits over the past three years underscore our robust relationship.”

Highlighting Việt Nam’s importance in the RoK’s Korea – ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI) and the Indo-Pacific Strategy, Han expressed the RoK’s intent to advance a win-win and practical partnership with Việt Nam to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific amidst dynamic global changes.

To achieve these objectives, Han underscored the necessity of enhancing strategic exchanges and contact between the leaders of both countries. He views Prime Minister Chính’s visit as a crucial opportunity to strengthen these ties. Furthermore, Han pointed to the importance of leveraging existing cooperation mechanisms, such as dialogues between the foreign ministers, to further bilateral relations.

Expanding on the areas of cooperation, Han emphasized the need to broaden collaboration in key sectors including economy, trade, science-technology, climate change, human resources training, and culture. He stressed that as inseparable partners in sustainable economic development, the two countries should explore new fields of economic security.

On global issues, Han remarked that the RoK, with its strategic vision to become a global pivotal state, aims to contribute significantly to global freedom, peace, and prosperity. Việt Nam, with its rising international stature, is expected to play a larger role on the global stage. As comprehensive strategic partners, the two nations have substantial demand for enhanced cooperation on regional and international issues.

The RoK highly appreciates Việt Nam’s support in addressing the nuclear issue of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Han expressed hope for continued collaboration on this matter.

Regarding climate change, Han expressed optimism about the two nations’ potential to transform the climate crisis into opportunities for green growth. As leading signatories to the 2015 Paris Agreement, Việt Nam and the RoK are paving the way in the carbon reduction sector and the transition to environmentally-friendly energy.

Finally, Han highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges as a cornerstone of the sustainable relationship between the two countries. He noted that the Vietnamese and Korean communities, each comprising 200,000 people in the other country, serve as vital bridges fostering cooperation in trade, investment, science-technology, and human resources development.

Prime Minister Chính’s visit is expected to herald a new chapter in the strategic partnership between Việt Nam and the RoK, fostering deeper ties and greater cooperation across multiple domains.