Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Park Byeong-Seug pays an official visit to Vietnam from October 31st to November 4 (photo: quochoi.vn)

This is the first official visit to Vietnam by National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-Seug since he took office in June, 2020.

Parliamentary diplomacy is strengthened

At a meeting with RoK Ambassador Park Noh-wan early this year, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said cooperation between the two countries’ National Assemblies has developed steadily and could be a role model for parliamentary cooperation. Speaker Park’s visit to Vietnam is evidence of the Republic of Korea’s respect for cooperation with the Vietnamese National Assembly and stronger bilateral ties.

The two legislatures signed an agreement in 2006 to promote delegation exchanges and cooperation between friendship parliamentarian groups. In 2013, the Speakers of the two National Assemblies signed a new cooperation agreement specifying bilateral and multilateral cooperation activities.

The two sides have set up their own Parliamentarian Groups and worked closely at multilateral forums including the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Conference, and the Permanent Committee for Culture and Society of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc holds a phonetalk with RoK President Moon Jae-in

Contributions to Vietnam-RoK Strategic Partnership

Cooperation between the two National Assemblies has contributed to the Vietnam-RoK Strategic Partnership. Former NA Speaker of the RoK Mun Hi Sang said the strong and effective cooperation between the two countries and the two National Assemblies have made them top partners in various fields.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders of the two countries have maintained regular dialogues. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President Moon Jae-in held a telephone talk on April 3. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Foreign Minister Kang Kyung Wha talked on the phone on February 28 and July 23. After the epidemic was gotten under control, Vietnam welcomed Foreign Minister Kang Kyung Wha on an official visit in September.

Economic cooperation has been a bright spot in bilateral ties. The RoK is one of Vietnam’s top partners, its top investor and its second largest ODA provider. Korean businesses play an important role in Vietnam’s economy. Samsung companies have contributed 20% of Vietnam’s total export value. The RoK is Vietnam’s second largest labor importer. The two countries are surveying labor markets for Vietnamese agricultural workers. Head of the NA’s External Relations Committee Nguyen Van Giau said: "Economic cooperation is the highlight of our bilateral ties. Korean investors have expanded investment in Vietnam, with registered capital of billions of USD. The Korean government is the second largest ODA provider for Vietnam."

The RoK government has pledged to help Vietnam recover from natural disasters. Korean investors in Vietnam have raised funds to help flood victims in the central region. RoK Ambassador Park Noh-wan said: "The RoK and Vietnam always help one another during difficult periods. We have combated the COVID-19 pandemic together and are now overcoming the consequences of torrential rain and floods and mitigating difficulties for people in disaster-hit region. We hope this will motivate the two countries to stay united to overcome difficulties and develop."

Vietnam and the RoK set up diplomatic ties in December 1992. Since then bilateral ties have steadily developed. Speaker Park’s ongoing visit to Vietnam will contribute to strengthening bilateral ties, reflecting Vietnam’s role in the Republic of Korea’s New Southern Policy.