President Lee Greets with "Xin chao," Vietnamese Leader Responds with "Thank You"
Business Leaders Including Chey Tae-won, Chung Euisun, and Koo Kwang-mo in Attendance
General Secretary To Lam Requests State Visit in the Near Future
On August 11, President Lee Jaemyung hosted a state banquet at the Blue House guesthouse for General Secretary To Lam of the Communist Party of Vietnam, who was visiting Korea. During the event, President Lee stated, "The Republic of Korea, which achieved the Miracle on the Han River, is the optimal partner for Vietnam, which is now achieving the Miracle on the Red River."
President Lee began his toast by saying "Xin chao (Hello)" and made these remarks. He added, "No matter how costly peace may be, it is better than war," and requested, "I hope that Vietnam will join us on this journey." President Lee then led a toast with the phrase "Chuc suc khoe," which means "Wishing you good health," together with the attendees.
In response, General Secretary To Lam said, "In this new era, as the Vietnamese people are making great strides, I hope Korea will walk alongside us." He extended a formal invitation for the president and first lady to visit Vietnam as state guests in the near future, and offered a toast in Korean, saying, "Thank you."
The banquet was attended by major business leaders, including Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group and Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Chung Euisun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG Group; and Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Group. Also present were Lee Jung-hoon, CEO of Seoul Semiconductor; Choi Jinsik, Chairman of SFA and Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs; Kang Ho-dong, President of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation; and Jung Sang-hyuk, President of Shinhan Bank, among other prominent figures.
From the government, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-cheol and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon attended. From the political sphere, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Tae-nyeon, former president of the Korea-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Association, and Kim Seok-ki of the People Power Party, chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, were present. From the presidential office, Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and National Security Advisor Wi Sung-rak attended.
In addition, 66 representatives from various sectors attended, including Park Hang-seo, former head coach of the Vietnam national football team; actor Ahn Jae-wook; author Hwang In-kyung, who is about to publish the novel "Ah! Ho Chi Minh"; and Vietnamese gamer Tran Bao Minh (DRX), known as "LazyFeel," the first foreign player in the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK). On the Vietnamese side, 55 delegates attended, including General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Chairman of the Party Central Inspection Commission, as well as the Ministers of Public Security and National Defense.
The banquet menu featured fusion Korean cuisine using specialty products from Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung explained that this was in consideration of the fact that the Hwasan Lee clan, descendants of Vietnamese prince Lee Yong-sang who settled on the Korean Peninsula at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, established themselves in Bonghwa after the Korean War. After the banquet, the two leaders enjoyed performances by pianist Yiruma, the Vietnam National Traditional Theatre, and the CBS Boys and Girls Choir.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
