Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, Visits Vietnam for 5 Days and 3 Nights... Discusses Strengthening Bilateral Security Cooperation

Minister of Public Security, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Transport Successively Met
Request for Conclusion of International Driving Permit Mutual Recognition Agreement

Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency is holding a security chief meeting with Lam, Minister of Public Security of Vietnam. / Photo by the National Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Kwan-joo] Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency visited Vietnam from the 2nd to the 6th of this month for a 3-night, 5-day trip upon the official invitation of the Vietnamese Minister of Public Security, discussing ways to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.

This trip was arranged to commemorate the success of the first-ever "Vietnam 1st Forensic Science Capacity Building Project" conducted jointly by the Korean and Vietnamese police, and to discuss current security cooperation issues such as joint investigations on major fugitives.

Commissioner Kim departed on the afternoon of the 2nd and arrived late that night in Vietnam. On the morning of the 3rd, he began his schedule with a meeting with Minister To Lam of Public Security. The National Police Agency and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security agreed to expand cooperation in various police fields, collaborate on joint investigations and the arrest and extradition of fugitives, and cooperate to protect each other's overseas nationals. Minister To Lam stated, "Korea is a very close friend, and we will strive to protect the Korean residents as requested by the National Police Agency, as well as Korean companies."

At the subsequent "5th Korea-Vietnam Police Cooperation Meeting," discussions included ▲ mutual efforts to protect overseas nationals ▲ prompt investigation of incidents involving Korean victims in Vietnam ▲ establishment of a rapid investigation and arrest system for major criminals through the activation of the Korean Desk in Vietnam. In particular, at the request of the National Police Agency, the Ministry of Public Security, responsible for immigration affairs in Vietnam, agreed to support mutual exchanges of businesspeople from both countries even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency is holding talks with Nguyen Van The, Minister of Transport of Vietnam. At this meeting, Commissioner Kim requested the prompt conclusion of a mutual recognition agreement for international driving licenses. Photo by National Police Agency

Following his attendance at the "Korea-Vietnam 1st Forensic Science Capacity Building Project Completion Ceremony," Commissioner Kim met with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh to exchange views on security cooperation and bilateral relations. They especially discussed institutionalizing special entry procedures and mutual recognition of international driving licenses. Currently, Vietnam does not recognize South Korea’s international driving licenses, leading to cases of unlicensed driving enforcement locally, which underscored the urgency of promptly concluding a "Mutual Recognition Agreement on International Driving Licenses." Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh reportedly expressed a positive stance on this matter. Commissioner Kim also requested the swift conclusion of the agreement during his meeting with Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The.

A National Police Agency official stated, "This visit demonstrates the very close security cooperation relationship between the two countries," adding, "We especially expect the rapid promotion of the mutual recognition agreement on driving licenses, which has been causing inconvenience to our citizens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.