Vietnam Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh and his Korean counterpart Han Min-koo held talks in Hanoi on May 28, discussing measures to boost defence cooperation between the two countries.

Thanh welcomed the visit to Vietnam of the Republic of Korea (RoK) high-ranking defence delegation headed by Minister Han Min-koo from May 27 to 29, emphasising that bilateral relations have developed strongly in all fields in recent years.

Vietnam and the RoK are strategic cooperation partners, and RoK is one of Vietnam’s leading economic and trade partners, Thanh said.

Meanwhile, Minister Han said the two countries are close friends who share many similarities in history and culture. Bilateral meetings and talks have been held to elevate their strategic cooperation partnership, especially in economics, culture and defence.

He hoped that the visit would help develop defence cooperation comprehensively on par with the strategic cooperation partnership.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation in 2010 and convened a defense strategic dialogue at the deputy-ministerial level in 2012.

During its stay, the Korean delegation will pay tribute to Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum, make a courtesy call to President Truong Tan Sang and visit some units of the Vietnam People’s Army.