President Yoon Suk Yeol affirmed that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit would significantly enhance the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Plan, which was upgraded in December 2022. He emphasized that South Korea views Vietnam as a crucial partner in its regional policies, including the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the ASEAN-Korea Solidarity Initiative.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed warm greetings from Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President To Lam, and other senior Vietnamese leaders to President Yoon Suk Yeol. He praised the South Korean President for his decisive leadership, which has driven positive economic growth and introduced many beneficial policies for the Korean people.

The Prime Minister reiterated Vietnam's support for South Korea's major policies and expressed a willingness to collaborate closely for the mutual benefit of both nations. He highlighted the significant achievements from his talks with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, where both sides outlined major directions to deepen and effectively enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Both leaders agreed to closely cooperate to deepen economic ties and achieve the bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2025, with an aim to reach $150 billion by 2030.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged for increased South Korean investment in sectors such as semiconductors, digital transformation, green transition, and biotechnology. He also proposed enhanced investment in high-tech projects and human resource training in semiconductors, hydrogen, and artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Chinh requested the acceleration of $2 billion loans through the Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF) and non-binding conditions for $2 billion loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to develop strategic infrastructure, including high-speed rail.

The two leaders agreed to expand cultural, educational, and tourism cooperation, strengthen local and people-to-people exchanges, and support Vietnamese and South Korean citizens residing in each other’s countries.

President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the potential of Vietnam as an investment destination for South Korean businesses and noted the creation of a favorable investment ecosystem by South Korean companies in Vietnam.

He urged Vietnam to facilitate the participation of South Korean businesses in key projects, including those in energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG). He affirmed South Korea's commitment to supporting Vietnam in training human resources for the semiconductor and high-tech industries, as well as developing its cultural industry.

President Yoon also highlighted Vietnam as the first country to sign a climate change agreement with South Korea and committed to supporting Vietnam in hosting the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in April 2025.

Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in culture, education, and tourism, and to strengthen collaboration between localities and people-to-people exchanges to foster understanding and connection between the citizens of both countries. They also agreed to closely cooperate in protecting the legitimate rights of each other's citizens, ensuring their stability and safety, and supporting Vietnamese-Korean families.

The two leaders pledged to continue close cooperation and mutual support in international and regional forums of shared interest.

In the afternoon, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Kim Jin Pyo, Chairman of the Korea Global Innovation Research Association and former Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea. Prime Minister Chinh expressed his gratitude to Kim Jin Pyo for his support and contributions to the bilateral relationship, particularly between the legislative bodies of both countries.

Kim Jin Pyo presented proposals for several cooperation projects, including the expansion of Hue Central Hospital, the establishment of a medical training center in Central Vietnam, and vocational training programs for Vietnamese youth, especially in nursing, to work in both Vietnam and South Korea.

Prime Minister Chinh welcomed these proposals and assigned relevant agencies, such as the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Education and Training, the National Innovation Center, and the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province, to discuss and implement the cooperation projects. He expressed hope that the Korea Global Innovation Research Association and the National Innovation Center of Vietnam would strengthen their collaboration and contribute to each other’s innovation ecosystems effectively.

Prime Minister Chinh expressed his desire for Kim Jin Pyo to continue being a close friend and supporter of Vietnam. He also looked forward to meeting Kim Jin Pyo again in Vietnam to review and further promote the discussed initiatives, enhancing the friendship and good relations between the two countries.

Thu Hang