Prime Minister holds phone conversation with RoK counterpart

This is Han's first phone conversation with a foreign leader since he was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea.

Pham affirmed Viet Nam consistently sticks to the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multi-lateralization of external relations, being a trusted friend and partner and an active and responsible member of the international community.

In pursuit of the foreign policy, Viet Nam always regards the Republic of Korea as an important strategic and long-term partner, wishing to work with the Northeast Asian country to further deepen the bilateral ties for the benefits of the two nations and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Han Duck-soo congratulated on the achievements gained by Viet Nam over the recent past, especially its good management of the COVID-19 pandemic and capacity to sustain high growth, affirming that the Republic of Korea considers Viet Nam as one of its top partners.

Han thanked the Government of Viet Nam for offering favorable conditions for Korean investors and nationals to enter Viet Nam as well as effective support for Korean businesses to maintain stable production, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic time.

Both sides agreed to coordinate closely in organizing events marking the 30th founding anniversary of the diplomatic relations in 2022; effectively implement the Viet Nam-Korea free trade agreement (VKFTA) and the regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP) in a bid to raise the two-way trade to US$100 billion next year and US$150 billion by 2030; and encourage Korean businesses to expand investment in such priority areas like digital technology, electronics, renewable energy, infrastructure development in Viet Nam.

The two sides also agreed to step up bilateral cooperation in labor, tourism, people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

On the East Sea issue, both sides shared common vision of maintaining peace and stability, ensuring maritime security, safety and freedom in the East Sea, settling maritime disputes through peaceful means, and safeguarding legitimate rights and interests of countries in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea./.