Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife will pay an official visit to South Korea for four days at the invitation of South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and his wife.
On this occasion, VietNamNet reporter interviewed Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young Sam about the significance of the visit as well as the direction of cooperation between the two countries.
A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP, LIKE “A FAMILY”
Vietnam and South Korea upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December 2022. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will make his first official visit to South Korea. Could the Ambassador clarify the significance of the visit and the expected contents to be discussed between the two countries' senior leaders?
This visit will be a historic turning point, continuing to bring the Korea-Vietnam relationship, which is considered to be at its best, to a higher level.
This is the first visit at the highest level of Vietnam after the two countries upgraded their relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, taking place exactly one year after President Yoon Suk-yeol's State visit to Vietnam, so it has special significance.
The two countries will accelerate the implementation of the “Action Program to Implement the Vietnam-Korea Strategic Partnership” which was launched during President Yoon Suk-yeol's visit to Vietnam last year.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk-yeol.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Photo: Pham Hai/VNA
It is expected that the two Prime Ministers will discuss expanding cooperation in all areas. These include trade, minerals, labor cooperation; in information and communication technology, there will be cooperation in semiconductors, AI, digital transformation; in addition, there will be people-to-people exchange, culture, tourism , local exchange, etc.
The two countries will also discuss ways to enhance cooperation at multilateral forums and respond to common global challenges, contributing to peace and prosperity in the region and the world.
The Korean side expects this to be one of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s successful foreign visits in 2024. Because the two countries will continue to expand strategic and substantive cooperation worthy of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
We will see the relationship between the two countries, which is at its best, continue to develop even better.
South Korean President Yoon Seok Yeol once said that Vietnam and South Korea have maintained a relationship of in-laws for the past 800 years, and now the two countries are no different from one family. Could you please share about this special relationship, especially in the context of many changes in the world?
Korea and Vietnam are special partners. Nothing can hinder the development of bilateral relations.
Vietnam has set a goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045; while South Korea has a vision of becoming a globally significant nation to contribute to freedom, peace, and prosperity.
To date, the two countries have gone beyond the framework of partnership to become a special relationship no different from “a family”.
Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young Sam.
People-to-people exchanges are taking place very actively, with evidence that there are currently about 90,000 Korean-Vietnamese family pairs.
I think the geographical proximity and cultural similarities between the two countries also have a big impact. In the coming time, on the basis of the special relationship, there will be many new areas in which the two countries can cooperate.
The world is facing challenges such as supply chain crisis and climate change. However, the relationship between the two countries will shine brighter in the face of these new challenges.
Korea is known as a country with the world's leading cultural industry. The Hallyu wave from music, movies, and cuisine has spread to many countries, including Vietnam. Many people, especially young people, love Korean culture. Can the Ambassador share experiences from this development of Korea?
In the cultural field, there are many things that Korea and Vietnam can learn from each other. I find that Vietnam has a rich culture that is not inferior to any other country.
Korea is ready to contribute and cooperate to develop Vietnam’s cultural industry. Typically, the two countries are cooperating in film exchange projects, joint production of television programs, and human resource training.
In particular, the two countries also have many cultural similarities, so Korea's experiences and successes will be more suitable for Vietnam to refer to than any other country.
During nearly a year serving as the Korean Ambassador to Vietnam, I have also felt that there are many things Korea can learn from Vietnam.
Vietnam-Korea Cultural Exchange Program to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-Korea diplomatic relations. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Hanoians experience making kimchi at the Korean Cultural Road festival held in April. Photo: Korean Embassy
The most typical is cuisine. Korean dishes such as kimbap, grilled pork belly, tteokbokki have become popular in Vietnam and around the world. However, I think the first successful globalized dish was Vietnamese pho. Vietnam has conquered the taste of people all over the world. Korea will definitely learn from Vietnam the secret to branding cuisine.
The Vietnamese Ao Dai culture is very proud. Hanbok has also recently become widely known. However, I see that Vietnamese people accept Ao Dai as a daily outfit, a part of daily life. I really want to learn from the Vietnamese way of inheriting and promoting traditional culture.
In the future, I hope the two countries will continue to learn from each other's strengths to find a path for cultural development.
The Ambassador has been in Vietnam for nearly a year now. How do you feel about the country and people of Vietnam? What impressions have you had about Vietnam?
The past year has been a time when I have discovered many similarities between Vietnam and Korea. Seeing the image of Vietnamese people who value family and affection, are hardworking, honest and responsible, I feel very similar to Korean people.
Every day I witness the incredible potential and strength of Vietnam. Vietnam preserves its traditions but is not afraid of change, proud of its history but not content with the past.
All people are like that, regardless of generation. Especially the young generation of Vietnam is full of enthusiasm, always moving forward.
The past year has also been a time when I have received much love from the Vietnamese people. To the point that it would not be an exaggeration to say that it has been the year I have received the most love in my 35 years of diplomatic service.
It is all thanks to the love of the Vietnamese people for Korea. In return, in the future, I will make more efforts for the development of Korea-Vietnam relations.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/han-quoc-ky-vong-vao-chuyen-tham-cua-thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-va-phu-nhan-2295951.html
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