General Secretary Lam: "We Will Prioritize Korean Companies' Concerns... Will Convey South Korea's Message to North Korea"
National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik, who is currently visiting Vietnam, met with General Secretary To Lam of the Communist Party of Vietnam to discuss strengthening economic cooperation and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
On the 21st (local time), at the Communist Party Central Committee headquarters in Hanoi, Speaker Woo told General Secretary Lam, "The more than 10,000 Korean companies operating in Vietnam are making significant contributions to Vietnam's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2045," and requested, "Please pay greater attention to Korean companies."
Specifically, Speaker Woo mentioned Korean companies' concerns and difficulties, including the need to ease financial support requirements for companies participating in energy projects and worries about weakened corporate competitiveness due to amendments to the High-Tech Law.
Regarding the investment support fund currently being implemented by Vietnam to reduce the tax burden on foreign-invested companies, he said, "If the beneficiaries are expanded by relaxing investment conditions, I expect that even more Korean companies will be able to contribute to the development of Vietnam's high-tech industries."
On the proposed amendment to the High-Tech Law, which would reduce benefits such as corporate and personal income tax reductions for high-tech companies compared to the current system, he stated, "I hope the law will be revised in a rational and balanced way that does not undermine corporate competitiveness."
On the issue of the Korean Peninsula, Speaker Woo said, "As Vietnam maintains deep relations with both South and North Korea, I hope Vietnam will play a greater role in achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula."
General Secretary Lam responded, "We will prioritize reviewing the concerns of Korean companies regarding the High-Tech Law and support the simplification of stay procedures for Koreans." He also said, in response to the request for Vietnam's role in Korean Peninsula peace, "We will accurately convey messages from Korea and others to North Korea to promote dialogue between the parties," adding, "We will contribute to the development of peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the world."
Earlier, Speaker Woo met with President To Lam at the Presidential Palace and expressed his gratitude for attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, suggesting, "Please hold frequent meetings with Korean companies." In response, President Lam said, "I will instruct relevant agencies to ensure smooth negotiations with the Korean side regarding business activities," and added, "We are always ready to act as a mediator for peace on the Korean Peninsula."
On the same day, Speaker Woo also visited the Hanwha Aerospace factory at the Hanoi High-Tech Park and the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST). VKIST is the largest research and development (R&D) center in Vietnam, established as a model after the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), with a total investment of 70 million dollars, including official development assistance (ODA) funds from both countries.
This delegation includes Democratic Party lawmakers Moon Jinseok, Yang Bunam, Moon Geumjoo, Lee Kiheon, and Jeong Euho, as well as Hwang Unha of the National Innovation Party and Chief of Staff Cho Oseop.
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