Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in Seoul, the RoK, July 2, 2024.

During talks in Seoul on Tuesday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Korean counterpart Han Duck-soo also agreed to step up exchanges and contacts at all-level and through all channels. They reached a consensus on strengthening cooperation in defense and security and effectively implementing the action program for the Vietnam-RoK comprehensive strategic partnership. 

PM Han pledged to help Vietnamese companies integrate deeper into RoK-led supply chains in Vietnam. He suggested that both sides enhance cooperation to promote investment by Korean firms in building a stable core mineral supply chain.

The Korean leader noted that the RoK prioritizes assistance for Vietnam in industrial human resources training, and will increase non-refundable aid in public administration, e-government, education, and R&D in Vietnam, and raise the quota for Vietnamese workers. The RoK will also support the second phase of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) project.

PM Chinh asked the RoK to further open its market for Vietnamese processed foods, agricultural and aquatic products, and seasonal fruits. He encouraged Korean companies to expand investment in Vietnam, particularly in LNG, the digital economy, the green economy, the circular economy, semiconductors, renewable energy, biotechnology, and AI. He also proposed the RoK build more R&D centers in Vietnam. 

The Vietnamese PM urged the RoK to support the opening of a Vietnamese Consulate General in Busan this year and the establishment of a Vietnamese cultural centre in the East Asian nation. He suggested the RoK simplify visa procedures towards visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens, increase scholarships for Vietnamese students, and create more favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the RoK.

The two leaders shared a vision on ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam), and affirmed their support for the settlement of disputes via peaceful measures and in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS). 

PM Chinh asserted that Vietnam consistently backs denuclearization, dialogue, peace, stability, cooperation, and development on the Korean Peninsula.

Following the talks, the leaders issued a joint press release and witnessed the signing of nine cooperation agreements between Vietnamese and Korean ministries and agencies in economics, trade, investment, education, development cooperation, startup ecosystems, competition, and consumer protection.