Minister Kang Kyung-hwa Visits Vietnamese Prime Minister... Emphasizes Prompt Introduction of 'Fast Track System'

Prime Minister Phuc: "First Official Foreign Visitor to Vietnam Since COVID-19... Demonstrates the Special Nature of the Korea-Vietnam Strategic Cooperative Partnership"
One-hour Discussions on Trade, Investment, Health, Maritime, Consular, and Regional Cooperation Topics

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 17th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha paid a courtesy visit to Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for about an hour as the first official schedule of her official visit to Vietnam. The visit lasted 1 hour, 30 minutes longer than originally planned.

On this day, Minister Kang said, "I am pleased to officially visit Vietnam for the first time in two and a half years since March 2018 and to once again pay a courtesy visit to the Prime Minister, who has shown great interest in strengthening the deep friendship between Korea and Vietnam." In response, Prime Minister Phuc said, "Vietnam’s invitation of Minister Kang as the first foreign dignitary to officially visit Vietnam after the COVID-19 pandemic well demonstrates the special nature of the Korea-Vietnam strategic cooperative partnership," adding that this visit will deepen the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

Minister Kang then evaluated the COVID-19 response of both countries. He said, "Despite some difficulties experienced in the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis, we have achieved many important outcomes based on deep trust and active communication at all levels," emphasizing that the entry of about 9,000 Korean businesspeople, students, and their families?the largest number of foreigners entering Vietnam so far?symbolizes how significant the Korea-Vietnam strategic cooperative partnership is beyond symbolic aspects.

Minister Kang added, "However, many small and medium-sized enterprises are still facing business difficulties because they could not enter Vietnam due to the burden of long quarantine periods," stressing the need to promptly institutionalize special entry procedures between the two countries.

He further stated that exchanges between the two countries will become more active through special entry procedures and requested Prime Minister Phuc’s active support to quickly conclude consultations and implement the system as early as possible.

In response to Minister Kang’s request, Prime Minister Phuc said, "Vietnam is currently conducting domestic reviews to establish more favorable entry procedures for essential personnel such as Korean businesspeople, who are among Vietnam’s most important economic cooperation partners."

Meanwhile, Minister Kang emphasized that the two countries must continue to advance practical cooperation in various fields while overcoming COVID-19.

In response, Prime Minister Phuc urged both sides to actively work toward achieving the "annual trade volume of 100 billion dollars" agreed upon during the Korea-Vietnam summit in March 2018 and requested Korea’s attention to facilitate smoother market access for Vietnamese products in Korea. Minister Kang agreed and said the Korean government will also make various efforts to create a more balanced trade relationship between the two countries.

The two countries also discussed the prompt conclusion of a social security agreement. Minister Kang expressed hope that the Korea-Vietnam social security agreement will be concluded soon so that about 50,000 dispatched workers in each other’s countries can receive practical benefits. Prime Minister Phuc emphasized that Vietnam also places great importance on concluding a social security agreement with Korea, given the large number of workers sent to Korea.

Additionally, Minister Kang explained that Vietnamese public medical institutions’ newly established medical device bidding regulations are causing confusion among Korean medical device manufacturers and requested attention and support to resolve difficulties faced by Korean companies. Prime Minister Phuc responded that he will actively seek ways to resolve the issues raised by Korea.

Minister Kang then positively evaluated the expanding cooperation between the two countries in the maritime sector, mentioning that the Hanara ship, which Korea agreed to transfer to Vietnam, departed from Busan Port on the 15th and is expected to arrive in Vietnam next week. Prime Minister Phuc expressed gratitude for Korea’s active interest and efforts during the transfer process of the Hanara ship.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Phuc thanked the Korean government for its active support in protecting Vietnamese nationals in Korea and preventing COVID-19 and requested continued interest and support for Vietnamese nationals residing in Korea.

Minister Kang responded that the approximately 60,000 Korea-Vietnam families and about 200,000 Vietnamese people in Korea are a valuable foundation for mutually beneficial development between the two countries and pledged to continue government-wide efforts to ensure that Vietnamese residents in Korea can live safe and happy lives.

The Korean government’s New Southern Policy was also discussed. Prime Minister Phuc said, "Vietnam highly appreciates Korea’s New Southern Policy," adding, "Vietnam and other ASEAN countries were deeply impressed by the success of the Korea-ASEAN Special Summit and the 1st Korea-Mekong Summit held in Korea last November." He further expressed hope that the upcoming ASEAN-related summits in November will be held in person and that President Moon Jae-in can be invited to Vietnam again.

Minister Kang strongly agreed and evaluated Vietnam’s excellent leadership as the ASEAN chair this year despite difficulties caused by COVID-19, and stated that the two countries will continue to discuss ways to further advance Korea-ASEAN and Korea-Mekong cooperation as well as to further enhance the Korean government’s New Southern Policy.