(VOVworld) – Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong granted an interview to the news agency Yonhap prior to his 4-day state visit to the Republic of Korea beginning on Wednesday. He said relations between the two countries had advanced significantly in many areas, particularly since the Vietnam-Republic of Korea strategic partnership was established 5 years ago. The Republic of Korea is currently the second largest investor and third largest trade partner of Vietnam. Korean official development assistance has contributed greatly to Vietnam’s socio-economic development and many Korean businesses have been operating successfully in Vietnam. Both countries have seen 1 million reciprocal visits a year. Approximately 130,000 Korean people are working and living in Vietnam and 75,000 Vietnamese people are working and studying in the Republic of Korea.

The Vietnamese party leader said he believed the friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries would be the political basis to consolidate strategic and policy dialogue and bilateral cooperation. Deepening cooperation in the areas of economics, trade, investment, finance, education, training, external relations, labor, defense, security, industry, tourism, science, and technology will contribute to both nations’ sustainable growth.

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong said Vietnam welcomed and would continue creating favorable conditions for Korean businesses to invest in Vietnam. Vietnam encourages investment in infrastructure development, high-technology, green technology, mechanical engineering, support industries, agricultural processing, fisheries, and agriculture.

Mr. Trong said a future FTA would boost mutually beneficial economic cooperation and help to implement the two countries’ joint statement for common prosperity and mutual benefit.