Kang Kyung-hwa Holds 3.5-Hour Face-to-Face Talks with Vietnamese Foreign Minister... Vietnam to Soon Prepare Measures for Swift Entry of Businesspeople

Consensus on Introducing Expedited Entry System for Businesspeople, "Close Consultation to Reach Practical Agreement on Specific Measures"
Incheon-Hanoi and Incheon-Ho Chi Minh Routes to Resume Soon
Discussion on Regional Situations Including South China Sea... Minister Kang Emphasizes "Importance of Fulfilling Demilitarization Pledge"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 18th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held a foreign ministers' meeting at the VIP hall of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they had comprehensive and in-depth discussions on cooperation in response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the development direction of the Korea-Vietnam strategic cooperative partnership, and major bilateral and multilateral issues. The foreign ministers' meeting lasted three and a half hours, including lunch.

Minister Kang stated, "Visiting Vietnam first among ASEAN countries after the COVID-19 outbreak reflects the special nature of the bilateral relationship," and Deputy Prime Minister Minh noted that Minister Kang is the first foreign dignitary to officially visit Vietnam after COVID-19, which not only underscores the importance of bilateral relations but also demonstrates that both countries, managing the COVID-19 situation well, can continue close cooperation even amid the pandemic.

Both sides agreed that over the past few months, the two countries have actively cooperated through △close communication at various levels △exceptional entry for businesspeople △support for quarantine supplies, and they decided to broaden the partnership horizon to include health cooperation for ending COVID-19 as well as cooperation leading economic recovery in the post-COVID-19 era.

Minister Kang and Deputy Prime Minister Minh particularly agreed on the necessity of introducing special entry procedures between the two countries. Deputy Prime Minister Minh said, "Measures to simplify entry procedures under more favorable conditions for essential personnel such as Korean businesspeople are expected to be prepared soon," and added, "Let us closely consult to reach a practical agreement on specific measures."

Regular flights between the two countries will also be resumed promptly starting with the Incheon-Hanoi and Incheon-Ho Chi Minh routes after final consultations between the aviation authorities of both countries. Deputy Prime Minister Minh highly praised Korea's health and medical capabilities demonstrated during the COVID-19 response and expressed hope to cooperate with Korea in vaccine development and production in the future. He also emphasized the important role of related international organizations such as the International Vaccine Institute located in Korea.

Minister Kang responded, "COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics are public goods for humanity, and cooperation beyond borders is necessary for their smooth development and distribution," adding, "I look forward to close cooperation with Vietnam in clinical collaboration and equitable access in the future."

Both sides also discussed ways to achieve tangible results in major substantive cooperation issues between Korea and Vietnam. They agreed to actively resume face-to-face high-level exchanges between the two countries, which were initiated by Minister Kang's visit, and to sign a bilateral climate change cooperation agreement to strengthen cooperation on social security, low-carbon transition, and climate change response as soon as possible.

Minister Kang emphasized, "To help Vietnam continue sustainable growth, we will continue to strengthen development cooperation focusing on transportation, public administration, education, water management, and health sectors," and added, "We will support scientific research and the training of high-level personnel in various fields, and actively contribute to Vietnam's regional balanced development and inclusive growth through smart city projects tailored to the characteristics of each region in Vietnam."

They also reviewed the current status of financial cooperation, labor cooperation, and consular cooperation and discussed future development directions. Minister Kang and Deputy Prime Minister Minh agreed that the current bilateral relationship is at its best level since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, and they discussed specific measures to elevate bilateral relations and further expand and strengthen exchanges and friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries.

Furthermore, with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022 approaching, both sides agreed that the atmosphere for elevating the Korea-Vietnam strategic cooperative partnership has matured, and they decided to promote joint public-private research for upgrading bilateral relations. They welcomed the imminent arrival of the maritime training ship 'Hanara-ho,' agreed upon at the summit level, in Vietnam, and decided to further strengthen cooperation in maritime fields.

Meanwhile, Minister Kang announced that the Korean government is preparing an advanced New Southern Policy that reflects the cooperation needs of ASEAN countries, especially in health, digital, and science and technology sectors amid the current COVID-19 situation. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Minh reaffirmed Vietnam's firm support for Korea's New Southern Policy and expressed willingness to continue efforts to strengthen Korea-ASEAN cooperation and cooperation at other regional levels.

Regarding the upgraded Korea-Mekong cooperation at the summit level, both sides agreed that Korea and Vietnam, as co-chair countries, will actively work to ensure the successful holding of the Korea-Mekong Foreign Ministers' Meeting scheduled for the 28th, and they decided to explore specific cooperation measures in fisheries, energy, and water resources between the two countries to strengthen Korea-Mekong cooperation.

They also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and major regional issues such as the South China Sea. Regarding the Korean Peninsula situation, Minister Kang expressed gratitude for Vietnam's cooperation as the ASEAN chair country in actively supporting Korea's position at the ASEAN level, and Deputy Prime Minister Minh pledged to continue efforts to maintain denuclearization, peace, and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Minister Kang then expressed Korea's position supporting freedom of navigation and overflight, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling commitments to demilitarization and maintaining peace and stability in the region. Minister Kang and Deputy Prime Minister Minh are scheduled to meet again as co-chairs of the 10th Korea-Mekong Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which will be held via video conference on the 28th.