Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's emotional meeting with Korean friends

(Chinhphu.vn) - On the afternoon of June 30, in Seoul, starting his official visit to Korea, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a very emotional meeting with Korean friends.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his joy and emotion at meeting very close friends of the Vietnamese people, who have inherited, nurtured and continuously contributed to the relationship between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea over the past 30 years - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Also attending the meeting were members of the Vietnamese delegation, leaders of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, representatives of organizations such as the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Association, the Association of Koreans who Love Vietnam, the Korean Business Association in Vietnam, and football coach Park Hang-seo.

Special feelings for Vietnam

Korean friends warmly welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates to Korea, highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts and strong development achievements. The delegates expressed their joy at the strong development in bilateral relations and pride in being friends of Vietnam; reported on practical activities to contribute to promoting relations with Vietnam, such as helping women and Vietnamese students studying in Korea, supporting and building charity houses for Agent Orange victims in Vietnam, photo exhibitions on Vietnam's world heritages, the East Sea, organizing seminars to celebrate the 130th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, etc. The delegates affirmed that they will always accompany Vietnam with specific initiatives and work to contribute to the relationship between the two countries, supporting Vietnam to develop more and more prosperously, and the Vietnamese people to become happier.

The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam supports, admires and wishes to learn from the experiences and achievements that the country and people of Korea have achieved in recent decades, becoming a developed country in a short time - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

President of the Korean Volunteer International Organization Yun Eun Ho assessed that Vietnam is the fastest growing country in Asia. Reviewing a series of cultural and historical similarities between the two countries, he affirmed that these are the reasons why the people of the two countries are very close to each other. He mentioned President Ho Chi Minh's words: "Nothing is difficult/Only fear of not being steadfast/Digging mountains and filling seas/Determination will make it happen", and also repeated the words of the President of Korea considering Vietnam as a key partner in foreign policy in the Southeast Asian region and in Korea's Indo-Pacific Strategy. President of the Korea-Vietnam Economic and Cultural Exchange Association (KOVECA) Kwon Sung Taek affirmed that Vietnam is a close neighbor and close friend of Korea, the two countries have even become "in-laws" of each other. "Entering Vietnam is the most talked about topic among Korean businessmen, Vietnam is one of the most chosen destinations by Koreans for tourism. Therefore, before this visit, we are more hopeful than any visit by a government leader or head of state to Korea," he said. Mr. Park Hang-seo, former head coach of the Vietnamese football team, said that the victories of the Vietnamese team are not only the joy of Vietnamese fans, but also the joy of the Korean people. Football has played a role as a bridge, promoting understanding between the two nations, forming connections beyond football. He said he will continue to make efforts to contribute to connecting the two cultures, the two countries, and the two peoples. Mr. Ahn Kyong-Hwan, Principal of Foreign Affairs at Nguyen Trai University (former President of the Association for Vietnamese Studies in Korea) said that he had translated "Prison Diary" by President Ho Minh, "The Tale of Kieu" by Nguyen Du, "Binh Ngo Dai Cao" by Nguyen Trai, the memoir "Unforgettable Years" by General Vo Nguyen Giap, "Dang Thuy Tram's Diary". He quoted two lines of poetry "Now in poetry there should be steel/Poets must also know how to charge" in the poem "Impressions on Reading Heavenly Poetry" by President Ho Chi Minh to talk about the spirit and will to rise up of the Vietnamese people. He also said that in the near future, he will translate "Hich tuong si" by Tran Hung Dao into Korean.

Korean friends warmly welcomed the Prime Minister and delegates to visit Korea, highly appreciating Vietnam's efforts to rise up and its strong development achievements - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

A great step forward in bilateral relations

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his joy and emotion at meeting very close and intimate friends of the Vietnamese people, who have inherited, nurtured and continuously contributed to the relationship between Vietnam and Korea over the past 30 years; thanked them for their heartfelt and sincere speeches, demonstrating their deep understanding of Vietnam as well as the relationship between the two countries and the two cultures. In particular, the Prime Minister respectfully conveyed General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's thanks, greetings, congratulations and wishes for good health to his Korean friends, and thanked author Jo Chul Hyeon for the book about the General Secretary's life being published in Korea on the occasion of the General Secretary's 80th birthday (April 14, 2024). According to the Prime Minister, the friendship and connection between Vietnam and Korea originated in the 12th century, when two Ly families, Ly Hoa Son and Ly Tinh Thien of Vietnam, immigrated to Korea and soon integrated into the Korean community, and many members of the two families made contributions and dedications to Korean history.

Experiencing the ups and downs and breakthroughs of history, on December 22, 1992, Vietnam and South Korea officially established diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries with the spirit of "closing the past, respecting differences, looking towards the future".

The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam supports, admires and wishes to learn from the experiences and achievements that the country and people of Korea have achieved in the past decades, becoming a developed country in a short time. Since the establishment of relations, the Vietnam-Korea relationship has developed strongly and substantially, and has achieved many great achievements and made great strides. Vietnam and Korea have become each other's leading important partners in many fields.

Chairman of the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Association speaks at the meeting - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Chairman of the Association of People Who Love Vietnam speaks at the meeting - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

In particular, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have been constantly developing, playing an important role, and are a solid bridge for the Vietnam-Korea relationship. There are currently more than 200,000 Vietnamese people in Korea and more than 200,000 Koreans in Vietnam; more than 80,000 Vietnamese-Korean multicultural families. The two countries always create opportunities, conditions and ensure the legitimate and legal rights and interests of people from one country to live, study and work in the other. At the same time, the affection between the people of the two countries is vividly demonstrated through very specific actions. Economic, trade and investment cooperation is both a pillar and a driving force for promoting the bilateral cooperation. Korea currently holds the No. 1 position in direct investment (total accumulated capital to date reaching 87 billion USD); No. 2 in development cooperation and tourism; and No. 3 in labor and trade cooperation (reaching 76 billion USD in 2023). Cultural exchanges between the two countries are very vibrant, Korean cultural products such as movies, music, etc. are naturally welcomed by the Vietnamese people. According to the Prime Minister, this is partly due to the cultural and historical similarities between the two countries, for example, as mentioned by delegates, the people of both countries have the tradition of "loyalty to the Fatherland, filial piety to parents". In terms of science and technology, research cooperation in biotechnology, construction materials, semiconductor chips, etc. is being promoted.

Mr. Park Hang Seo, former head coach of the Vietnam national football team, said that football has played a bridging role, promoting understanding between the two nations, forming connections beyond football - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Mr. Ahn Kyong-Hwan, Principal of Foreign Affairs at Nguyen Trai University, said he has translated "Prison Diary" by President Ho Minh, "The Tale of Kieu" by Nguyen Du, "Proclamation of Victory over the Wu" by Nguyen Trai, and the memoir "Unforgettable Years" by General Vo Nguyen Giap... - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

On the basis of political trust, cultural similarities, geographical proximity, economic complementarity, and shared common strategic interests, the two countries decided to upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on December 5, 2022. The two countries always support each other in international forums. "In short, the bilateral relationship has developed strongly, comprehensively, effectively, and is beneficial to the two countries, the two peoples, and the people of the two countries," said the Prime Minister. In particular, Vietnamese and Korean people's organizations and non-governmental organizations have persistently and continuously made efforts to organize many highly effective activities, promoting exchanges and cooperation between the people and businesses of the two countries, contributing to connecting and creating a solid social foundation for the bilateral relationship to develop strongly, consolidating mutual understanding and trust between the people of the two countries. On behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister sincerely thanked organizations, individuals and Korean friends for their love, support and efforts for Vietnam; at the same time, he emphasized the affection and appreciation of the Vietnamese people and the Vietnamese delegation for the country and people of Korea.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Minister and Head of the Government Office Tran Van Son and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung attended the meeting - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Turning love for Vietnam into concrete actions and projects

According to the Prime Minister, in the context of global issues affecting all countries and all people, of which COVID-19 is a typical example, more than ever, we need a global approach, promoting solidarity, unity, upholding multilateralism, and at the same time having a people-centered approach, with people as the center and subject, leaving no one behind. "Solidarity and unity between the two countries are very important and this helps us overcome difficulties and challenges. This is a valuable asset that needs to be promoted even better in the coming time. As President Ho Chi Minh said: 'Solidarity, solidarity, great solidarity/Success, success, great success'; 'Knowing how to join forces, knowing how to unite, no matter how difficult, can be done'. The Korean people also have a proverb: 'Joint efforts, unity, conquer the sky'", said the Prime Minister. Also at the meeting, the Prime Minister shared with delegates the pain and loss of the country and the Vietnamese people due to wars, sieges and embargoes in the 20th century; introduced the main features of the guidelines and policies for building and protecting the country, the great and historic development achievements of Vietnam after nearly 40 years of renovation and the socio-economic situation in the first 6 months of 2024. According to the Prime Minister, thanks to internal efforts and the help of international friends, including Korea, Vietnam has overcome the most difficult times.

On behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister sincerely thanked organizations, individuals and Korean friends for their love, support and efforts for Vietnam; at the same time, he emphasized the affection and appreciation of the Vietnamese people and the Vietnamese delegation for the country and people of Korea - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister called on Korean investors, businesses and people to continue to show affection for Vietnam, turning this affection into specific actions, projects and cooperation programs, saying what is done, committing to it, "clearly defining the people, clearly defining the work, clearly defining the time, clearly defining the products and having specific results" - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam attach great importance to the relationship with the Republic of Korea. On the basis of consistently implementing the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification, Vietnam attaches importance to the relationship with the Republic of Korea and wishes to continue to bring about substantial, effective and long-term changes in cooperation between the two countries, commensurate with the comprehensive strategic partnership. The Prime Minister called on Korean investors, businesses and people to continue to show affection for Vietnam, "if you love it, love it even more", turning this affection into specific actions, projects and cooperation programs, saying what you do, committing to it, "clearly stating the person, clearly stating the work, clearly stating the time, clearly stating the product and having specific results". The Prime Minister also called on and hoped that Korean people and investors would continue to invest, do business and live in Vietnam and affirmed that they would be treated fairly and equally, their legitimate rights and interests would be guaranteed, contributing to the friendship of the two countries, the strength and prosperity of each country and the happiness and well-being of the people of the two countries. "We listen and understand together, share vision and action together, work together, win together, enjoy together and develop together, in the spirit of 'harmonious benefits, shared risks'", said the Prime Minister.

Ha Van - Chinhphu.vn

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/cuoc-gap-xuc-dong-cua-thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-voi-nhung-nguoi-ban-han-quoc-102240630152906708.htm