President Lee Meets Korean Community in Vietnam: "Korea-Vietnam Cooperation to Become More Future-Oriented and Strategic"... Nuclear Power and Infrastructure Partnership to Expand (Comprehensive)

"Through this state visit to Vietnam, we aim to further advance our already highest-level cooperative relationship to a more future-oriented and strategic level."

President Lee Jaemyung, who is currently on a state visit to Vietnam, expressed this intention at a luncheon meeting with Korean residents held in Hanoi on the 22nd (local time), highlighting his commitment to strengthening Korea-Vietnam cooperation. During this visit, President Lee plans to meet with Vietnam's leadership, including Secretary-General To Lam, who also serves as the country's president, to expand cooperation in strategic sectors such as nuclear power, infrastructure, and scientific and technological innovation. The agenda also includes deepening collaboration on global challenges such as supply chain stability, sustainable growth, and climate change response.

President Lee Jae-myung, currently on a state visit to Vietnam, is delivering a greeting speech at a Korean community meeting held at a hotel in Hanoi on the 22nd (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

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President Lee said, "It is truly meaningful to meet you as my first official event during my visit to Vietnam," adding, "Korea and Vietnam have much in common, having both endured foreign intervention and ultimately overcome it through our own efforts, experienced the pain of division and war, and risen again despite those hardships." He also noted the emotional bonds and exchanges between the peoples of both nations, stating, "Thanks to such goodwill and interaction, we have achieved remarkable development in just one generation since establishing diplomatic ties in 1992."

President Lee also cited figures to illustrate the bilateral relationship. He said, "Each country ranks among the other's top three trading partners," adding, "Last year, our bilateral trade volume reached $94.6 billion, and Korea is the largest investor in Vietnam, with 10,000 Korean companies operating locally." He continued, "Marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022, our bilateral ties were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership, making us key partners cooperating extensively across all fields."

In particular, President Lee highlighted that Secretary-General To Lam of the Communist Party of Vietnam was the first foreign leader to pay a state visit to Korea after the inauguration of the Korean government last year, and now, following the inauguration of Vietnam's new leadership, he himself is making the first state visit. He remarked, "This alone demonstrates the special relationship between Vietnam and Korea."

President Lee also mentioned Vietnamese football. He said, "Don't Vietnamese people love football just as much as Koreans do?" referring to Kim Sang-sik, coach of the Vietnam national football team. "Recently, the Vietnamese team achieved 13 consecutive wins-the first among Southeast Asian teams to do so-and entered the top 100 in the FIFA men's world rankings, now standing at 99th place," he introduced. President Lee added with a smile, "I was once an owner of a football club myself, and while trying to make it successful, I ended up facing some peculiar charges and am currently on trial. Still, football has a great power to unite our members as one body and one heart."

President Lee also expressed his expectations for the Vietnamese Korean community, which is about 200,000 strong. He said, "The Korean community in Vietnam, which has grown to around 200,000 people, is the largest in ASEAN and the fifth largest Korean community in the world," adding, "From cultural and sports figures, expatriate employees, small business owners, young entrepreneurs, international students, to senior members of the community, the sweat and dedication of all of you have built today's strong Vietnam-Korea relationship." He also noted, "The roughly 100,000 Korea-Vietnam multicultural families form a precious foundation, connecting our two countries by blood."

He then affirmed his commitment to supporting the Korean community in Vietnam. "Our people-sovereign government will do its best to carefully address and swiftly resolve the difficulties faced by overseas multicultural Korean families," he said. "We will listen closely to your voices and provide attentive support." President Lee also mentioned that he had received about 1,400 suggestions from Korean communities around the world, with common requests including support for Korean language schools, visa issues, improvements to consulate and embassy services, and support for Korean textbooks.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who are on a state visit to Vietnam, are receiving a bouquet of flowers from a flower girl at a Korean community meeting held at a hotel in Hanoi on the 22nd (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

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Earlier, Moses Yang, President of the Korean Association in Hanoi, expressed his anticipation for President Lee's state visit in his welcoming remarks, saying, "This is a meaningful milestone to reflect on the journey Korea and Vietnam have taken together and to envision our shared future." He added, "Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, our trade volume has grown approximately 180 times in just 30 years, and Korea has become one of Vietnam's largest investors, with five million people from both countries visiting each other annually. Now, the two countries are designing a future together as comprehensive strategic partners, not only in the economy but also in culture, education, and security."

President Yang continued, "Each and every Korean resident here is a valuable protagonist illuminating the name of the Republic of Korea in their respective positions," and requested "warm attention and policy support for the legal protection of overseas Koreans, support for children's education, and improvement of the local business environment." He also emphasized, "Koreans living abroad are not just Koreans residing overseas; they are precious assets who enhance Korea's national prestige and expand its economic territory. I hope the president's state visit will serve as a milestone announcing a new leap forward in Korea-Vietnam relations."

During the subsequent discussion, three representatives from the Korean community-Pham Thi Nha, Vice Chair of the Legal and Administrative Committee of the Korean National Unification Advisory Council in Vietnam; Lee Yongdeuk, Vice President of the Hanoi Korea-Vietnam Families Association; and Jeong Yewon, President of the Hanoi International Students Association-shared their experiences and perspectives from their activities in Vietnam.

Vice Chair Pham Thi Nha said, "Although I was born in Vietnam, I made Korea my second home 28 years ago by marrying a Korean husband, and I am living my life that way. I will continue to do my best as a civilian diplomat, serving as a bridge between Korea and Vietnam." Vice President Lee Yongdeuk introduced that "There are 8,000 Korea-Vietnam families in Vietnam, and 40% of the students in the elementary division of the Hanoi Korean International School are second-generation Korea-Vietnam children," expressing his hope that the Korea-Vietnam second generation will grow to become true leaders connecting the two countries.

President Jeong Yewon of the Hanoi International Students Association introduced the diverse roles of the association, including protecting the lives and rights of international students, assisting with interpretation at summits, and supporting overseas election operations. He said, "I hope the government will provide practical support through systemic safety nets so that international students can grow into global talent."

After hearing the stories of the Korean community, President Lee said, "The cooperative relationship between Korea and Vietnam, sharing experiences of overcoming adversity and making progress, is not a coincidence but an inevitable result created by all of you." He further emphasized, "Although you are physically away from Korea, you pay even closer attention to and worry more about your homeland. The government will continue to support you so you can be active in a more stable environment." He also expressed his intention to consider a system that better reflects the opinions of overseas Koreans.

Meanwhile, at the cultural performance during the meeting, the Hanoi Boys and Girls Choir performed "Fluffy Clouds" (a children's song), and the Hanoi Traditional Korean Music Research Institute "Sori Dongnae" presented a medley of "Arirang."

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