Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Korea: Right time, right people

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol.

Ambassador, please share the most impressive thing about Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Korea this time?

The official visit to Korea by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, is a turning point in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Korea, established in December 2022. The visit reflected many new and “better” points in the relationship between the two countries.

The new point is that both countries feel that trust has deepened, relations have become closer and people-to-people exchanges have become more open. These are reflected in all aspects of the visit, from the time the Prime Minister, his wife and the high-ranking delegation set foot in Seoul until the delegation successfully concluded the working trip.

From a relationship perspective, this visit was very timely and very popular.

Right time because it is time to find a new direction that suits the interests of both countries, businesses and people.

Furthermore, the timing of the visit further demonstrates its appropriateness in the context of the rapidly evolving international and regional situation, requiring timely responses. The visit sends a message to the regional and international community, demonstrating the determination of the leaders of the two countries to strengthen relations, enhance connectivity, promote exchanges, thereby creating a new link, connecting the two regions of Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, cooperating for peace and stability in the East Asia region as well as the whole world.

As for the timing, it can be seen that the thoughtful, respectful and warm receptions of Korea for Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his wife and the high-ranking delegation all show that connection, cooperation and exchange have become a common need of the two countries and peoples. This is also reflected in the number of over 60 activities within 4 working days.

Throughout the trip, it was evident that the Korean Government, people, and the Vietnamese community living, working, and studying in Korea were all looking forward to this visit. The results of the visit were widely reported by the local press and media, spreading widely among all social classes, thereby enhancing the image and position of Vietnam in Korea.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife Le Thi Bich Tran presented souvenirs to the Embassy during their official visit to Korea. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

With a large number of activities during the 4-day official visit, how does the Ambassador feel about Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's determination in promoting the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially in economic cooperation?

From the Embassy's perspective, it can be seen that the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, after being established for 2 years, along with many preparations, has now entered an acceleration phase to prepare for a breakthrough.

The discussions between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and partners from the highest-ranking leaders of Korea, to businesses and the masses, showed both sides' determination to seize opportunities, promote cooperation, strengthen connectivity, and expand exchanges, while also showing that there will be many challenges ahead, because the goals set for the relationship in the coming time are deeper, higher, and more diverse.

Therefore, the task for those working in foreign affairs in general and representative agencies in particular is also very great: how to both inherit from previous generations the understanding and mutual trust between the two countries and peoples, and further promote the achievements, and first of all, ensure that the results of the visit are fully implemented in all aspects.

One thing that is somewhat different from many other high-level visits is that right after arriving in Seoul, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a series of seminars, meetings, working lunches, dialogues with businesses, and then started meetings with high-level leaders. What is the message here, Ambassador?

I think this is probably a new feature in the implementation of Vietnam's foreign policy. In which, the collection, classification, and determination of policy directions are based on the reality and opinions of the people and businesses, thereby obtaining "material" for more substantial, deeper, and more effective contacts, both encouraging relations between countries and reflecting and conveying the opinions of businesses and people to relevant agencies, directly supporting and creating more opportunities for them to do business and live in Vietnam.

In addition, the talks not only focused on bilateral issues but also on the international and regional situation. During the discussions on the international and regional situation, the two sides discussed extensively and shared their opinions sincerely and frankly on new developments in the region, new developments of each side with partners, and affirmed that ASEAN still holds a very important position in the foreign policy of Korea.

Over the past three years, Vietnam has truly become a bridge for ASEAN-Korea relations to develop to new heights. The parties also affirmed that international law continues to be the basis and foundation for relations between countries in the region as well as in the world.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/chuyen-tham-han-quoc-cua-thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-dung-thoi-diem-hop-long-nguoi-277394.html