South Korean President arrives in Ha Noi, starting official visit to Viet Nam

He was welcomed at the airport by Chairman of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai, Chairman of Hai Noi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh, Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu, Vietnamese Ambassador to South Korea Nguyen Vu Tung and Korean Ambassador to Viet Nam Oh Young Ju.

President Yoon is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung Ho, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang Yang, Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jung-Sik, National Security Adviser Cho Tae Yong, among others.

Yoon is also accompanied by some 200 entrepreneurs representing Korea's business circles, including Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun.

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, Yoon on Thursday met Korean expats. Following the lunch event, Yoon plans to visit a Korean-language institute and go to a trade show where Korean companies showcase their products.

Yoon will also attend a Korea-Viet Nam cultural exchange event, followed by a dinner gathering with Korean business representatives.

Yoon is scheduled to hold talks with Vietnamese counterpart President Vo Van Thuong and meet Vietnamese senior leaders on Friday. 

This is the first State visit of President Yoon to Viet Nam and Viet Nam is the first country in the Southeast Asia that he visits since he took the office in May 2022.

The bilateral relationship was upgraded to the comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022 on the occasion of the 30th founding anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties.

This visit has manifested the importance that the Government and President of South Korea have attached to the relations with Viet Nam./.