Baeek Hoon: "Vietnam Is a Partner for a Prosperous Era Driven by Science, Technology, and Innovation"

Korea-Vietnam Science and Technology Roundtable
Leaders from both countries discuss innovation, digital transformation,
and expanded cooperation for technological advancement

Science and ICT Minister Hoon Baeek is shaking hands with Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam, at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News

On August 12, Science and ICT Minister Hoon Baeek held a Science and Technology Roundtable at Lotte Hotel, coinciding with the state visit to Korea by Vietnamese officials. The event was attended by To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, as well as government officials from both countries, and representatives from major research institutes and companies.

The Korea-Vietnam Science and Technology Roundtable was jointly organized by Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT and Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology. Participants, including General Secretary To Lam, government agencies, research institutes, and companies, discussed a range of topics including scientific and technological innovation, digital transformation in both countries, and cooperation to support technological innovation for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Both sides agreed to use the outcomes of this roundtable as a basis for identifying cooperation agendas and discussing concrete implementation measures at the 10th Korea-Vietnam Joint Committee on Science and Technology, which will be held in Vietnam later this year.

Prior to the roundtable, Minister Baeek held a bilateral meeting with Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam, where they reviewed the progress of the Korea-Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology (V-KIST) project and discussed a range of key issues including joint research and personnel exchanges.

V-KIST is a national research institute focused on applied technology, modeled after KIST. It serves as a strategic cooperation organization that enhances scientific and technological collaboration between the two countries by transferring KIST’s operational experience and expertise.

Minister Baeek stated, "Vietnam is a country with extensive exchanges and rapid growth with Korea, and is a partner with whom we will usher in an era of prosperity driven by science, technology, and innovation. We will continue to strengthen communication and expand cooperation between our two countries."