Journalist

Kim Bongcheol
  • Lee Jae-myung says capital gains tax cuts for nonresidents encourage housing speculation
    Lee Jae-myung says capital gains tax cuts for nonresidents encourage housing speculation President Lee Jae-myung said April 24 that cutting capital gains taxes simply because someone bought a home for investment and held it for a long time, without living in it, is not a housing protection policy but “a policy that encourages housing speculation.” He also criticized attacks over a bill introduced in the National Assembly to limit the special deduction for long-term holding, saying it is unrelated to the government but is being “manipulated” to look like a presidential proposal. Lee, on a state visit to Vietnam, posted on X, formerly Twitter, alongside an article saying markets were confused by controversy over “abolishing” the long-term holding deduction. His post was titled, “Where there is income, there are taxes. People pay earned income tax on wages, so it is natural to pay capital gains tax on housing sales income.” Lee said he agrees there is a need for capital gains tax relief tied to how long a person actually lives in a home. But he said it is wrong to cut taxes for those who do not live there and bought it as an investment simply because they held it for a long time. “Who are the people who spread ‘buy one prime home’ speculation centered on Seoul’s Gangnam, driving a chain reaction of surging home prices — and who are the people shielding them?” Lee wrote. “Is it a ‘tax bomb’ to normalize the abnormal practice of cutting taxes because someone speculated for a long time on a home they don’t live in?” He also criticized opposition to scaling back long-term capital gains tax benefits, saying, “It seemed quiet for a while, but it looks like forces that encourage real estate speculation are starting to move again.” Lee said a bill proposed by some opposition lawmakers to limit the long-term holding deduction is being portrayed as his initiative. “To properly protect housing for single-home owners, it would be right to reduce tax relief for nonresidency holding periods and increase relief for residency holding periods by that amount,” he wrote. Calling “normalizing the abnormal” and escaping real estate speculation “this country’s final survival strategy,” Lee added, “Home prices must stabilize so people can build a home, get married, and have and raise children.” He asked readers to share their views in comments. Separately, Lee’s approval rating, which had dipped slightly, rebounded in a week to a new high, the report said, citing the KOSPI index hovering around 6,500 and first-quarter economic growth of 1.7%. Gallup Korea said April 24 that in a survey of 1,001 voters nationwide aged 18 and older conducted April 21-23, Lee’s approval rating rose 1 percentage point from the previous week to 67%. The poll was conducted through computer-assisted telephone interviews. At a 95% confidence level, the margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. More details are available on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 10:48:57
  • Blue House policy chief says Samsung strike talks not at breaking point
    Blue House policy chief says Samsung strike talks not at breaking point Kim Yong-bum, the Blue House policy chief, said April 23 (local time) that he hoped talks would resolve the possibility of a strike by Samsung Electronics’ labor union. Speaking at a press center briefing in Hanoi, Kim was asked whether the government could step in to mediate if Samsung workers strike. “I hope it will be resolved wisely through dialogue,” he said. Kim added that he did not yet see it as a special problem, saying labor and management were “not at the stage of heading to extremes” and that he expected the issue to be settled. Asked whether President Lee had been briefed, Kim said he had reviewed what was reported at a meeting, but that the president did not separately comment on it. Earlier, the Samsung Electronics union held a rally of about 40,000 people demanding the abolition of a cap on performance bonuses and warned of a general strike. Kim also addressed the recent death of a union member at a rally by the Cargo Truckers Solidarity, saying he was concerned and was looking into it. He said it was “a great relief” that the Labor Ministry was communicating with the site.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 22:36:21
  • Samsung’s Lee, LG’s Koo urge results, higher-quality growth at Korea-Vietnam forum
    Samsung’s Lee, LG’s Koo urge results, higher-quality growth at Korea-Vietnam forum President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to Vietnam brought a large contingent of South Korean business leaders to a Korea-Vietnam business forum, underscoring efforts to deepen economic cooperation. The forum, hosted by Lee and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, was held April 23 (local time) at a hotel in Hanoi. It drew key officials from both governments, an economic delegation of 109 South Korean companies, and about 500 participants from public institutions and the private sector. Attendees included Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong; SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who also heads the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo; Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin; POSCO Holdings Chairman Chang In-hwa; HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun; GS Chairman Huh Tae-soo; Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon; Doosan Enerbility Chairman Park Ji-won; Daewoo Engineering & Construction Vice Chairman Jung Won-ju; Hyundai Motor Group President Sung Kim; and Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon. Leaders of major business groups also attended, including Yoon Jin-sik of the Korea International Trade Association and Kim Ki-moon of the Korea Federation of SMEs. Before a closed-door session, Lee Jae-yong told reporters that “businesspeople should speak through results.” Koo said LG has operations in India and expressed hope that the trip would help business move forward. He noted that exchanges and corporate activity between South Korea and Vietnam are already extensive, adding that he hoped cooperation would advance “not only in quantity but also in quality.” Park of Doosan Enerbility said Vietnam is seeking to build nuclear power plants and that he came prepared to introduce his company. He said he planned to focus on the company’s track record during the forum. At the forum, Samsung Electronics, SK Innovation, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy discussed ways to upgrade an “industry, investment and science-and-technology partnership.” The talks focused on four areas: nurturing advanced talent, energy, AI transformation and science and technology. On talent development, Na Ki-hong, head of Samsung Vietnam’s strategic cooperation office, introduced cases of manufacturing-innovation consulting and smart-factory support. He also outlined plans to expand “future technology education for youth” to cultivate next-generation talent. Cooperation in AI transformation and energy infrastructure was also discussed. SK Innovation CEO Choo Hyung-wook stressed the importance of power infrastructure for building an AI ecosystem and shared a roadmap for ongoing cooperation projects, including the Quynh Lap LNG power project. Science-and-technology cooperation to support future industries also drew attention. KIST President Oh Sang-rok presented a vision linking talent, technology and industry and proposed a strategy combining South Korea’s maturity with Vietnam’s dynamism. Vietnamese presenter Nguyen Trung Chinh, chairman of CMC, also shared strategies for innovation in advanced industries based on AI and science and technology, calling for stronger technology partnerships. In opening remarks at a prior meeting, President Lee said economic cooperation between South Korea and Vietnam was increasingly important amid rising global uncertainty. He highlighted the need to strengthen supply-chain links in energy-related areas, including rare earths and urea solution, which are essential for advanced industries. Lee said Vietnam needs efficient power distribution networks, including LNG power plants and nuclear power, to support a stable industrial environment. He urged the business leaders gathered to serve as a cornerstone for opening new horizons of cooperation. In a speech, Lee again emphasized the need for closer economic ties, laying out visions for future advanced industries, supply-chain and energy cooperation, and science-and-technology collaboration. “Because we have firm trust and friendship, South Korea and Vietnam can grow together without wavering in the face of any crisis and design the future,” Lee said. “Just as Vietnam’s leap was South Korea’s growth, Vietnam’s future will now be South Korea’s future.” Citing a saying by Vietnam’s late leader Ho Chi Minh — “respond to all changes with what does not change” — Lee said the unchanging friendship built over more than 30 years is the surest answer to complex changes ahead. He pledged that the South Korean government would serve as a “reliable compass and support” so companies in both countries can navigate challenges and write a new era of prosperity. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry said 74 memorandums of understanding were signed at the forum between companies from the two countries in areas including advanced technology, consumer goods, infrastructure, energy and finance. Key areas included AI data centers and digital infrastructure; energy such as nuclear power and power-grid construction; production bases for secondary batteries and advanced materials; smart cities and infrastructure development; and finance and investment. SK Innovation and SK Telecom signed MOUs with Vietnam’s National Innovation Center on building an “AI data center and ecosystem,” and separately with Nghe An province on “AI infrastructure,” expanding cooperation on future infrastructure. Daewoo Engineering & Construction also signed an MOU with Vietnam’s SaigonTel to jointly develop a data center project and participate in construction. Cooperation on secondary batteries and advanced materials also advanced. POSCO Future M said it completed approval procedures with Thai Nguyen province to build a plant for artificial graphite anode material, a key secondary-battery material, and moved to build a supply chain. In energy, cooperation drew on South Korea’s nuclear technology and experience building power grids. Doosan Enerbility signed agreements with Vietnamese companies PTSC and PETROCONs on cooperation related to new nuclear power plants in Vietnam. Taihan Cable & Solution signed an MOU with Vietnam’s Newtecons on upgrading power grids and cooperating on extra-high-voltage cable projects, aiming to expand technical partnerships for local energy infrastructure. 2026-04-23 22:27:19
  • First lady Kim Hye-kyung promotes K-culture during Vietnam state visit
    First lady Kim Hye-kyung promotes K-culture during Vietnam state visit Kim Hye-kyung, the wife of President Lee Jae-myung, on April 23 (local time) cast herself as a “K-culture ambassador” during the couple’s state visit to Vietnam. At the K-Culture Tourism Expo at Lotte Mall West Lake in Hanoi, Kim said culture, including film, is “the warmest link that connects people beyond language and borders,” adding that such exchanges will deepen understanding and friendship between the two countries. According to a written briefing by presidential deputy spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong, the expo was organized by the Korea Tourism Organization and others to let visitors experience the K-culture wave spreading in Vietnam across areas including content such as dramas, food, beauty products, heritage and travel. The event runs from April 23 to 26. Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi is Vietnam’s largest shopping and entertainment complex and is often described as “Korea in Vietnam” and a hub for K-lifestyle. Since opening in September 2023, it has logged more than 25 million cumulative visitors. Wearing a hanbok, Kim toured indoor pop-up zones with actor Jung Il-woo, who appeared in the Korea-Vietnam co-produced film “I’m Going to Abandon My Mom” and is nicknamed “Vietnam’s son-in-law” locally. Kim visited a K-content and K-food pop-up zone themed around the drama “The Tyrant’s Chef,” viewing costumes and props associated with a royal chef from the Joseon era. Guided by chef Ji Jun-hyeok, the first Korean to be listed in the Vietnam Michelin Guide in 2023, she joined a hands-on session making dishes featured in the drama. “I'm looking forward to what new flavors might come out when Vietnamese ingredients are added,” Kim said as she made bibimbap with visitors, mixing rice with water spinach and other vegetables, gochujang and butter. She also finished macarons using Korean black sesame and Vietnamese condensed milk, then handed them out to Vietnamese attendees. At a traditional K-food zone, she heard explanations of persimmon leaf tea, ginseng and yakgwa, and sampled yakgwa. After tasting fruit punch made with Korean melons and strawberries and Vietnamese mango, Kim said, “With all the delicious fruit, it’s even more balanced, and the Korean melon is especially fresh and cool.” She added that she could feel the local popularity of Korean melons, now in their second year of exports to Vietnam. At the K-beauty zone, Kim looked over Korean cosmetics and tried products with visitors. She also visited K-heritage and K-travel zones, along with outdoor K-webtoon and K-game pop-ups. Earlier in the day, Kim drew attention by wearing a pink ao dai. At the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, she met Ngo Phuong Ly, the wife of Vietnam’s Communist Party general secretary, for a spouse-to-spouse cultural event. Ly told Kim she had seen photos posted on social media and said the ao dai suited her, “like a Vietnamese girl.” Kim replied that Ly looked “even more beautiful” when she wore a hanbok last year. With guidance from the museum director, the two viewed artifacts, models, photos and videos depicting the traditional culture and daily life of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. When Ly asked for explanations, Kim described spaces one by one, including a hanok’s sarangbang and an apartment kitchen. Seeing a traditional gat hat in the sarangbang, Kim noted that the “Saja Boys” wore gat hats in the Netflix animated film “K-pop Demon Hunters.” They also watched a water puppet show, a representative Vietnamese intangible cultural heritage. At the end, puppets in an ao dai and a hanbok danced together, symbolically showing harmony between the two countries. Ahn said the two discussed shared interests including cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, and greeted foreign tourists at the museum. Kim said she hoped efforts to respect and share each other’s traditions — like the hanbok and ao dai — would help bring the two peoples closer. Separately, President Lee’s social media carried thanks for the ao dai gift. The presidential office’s second annex posted on Instagram a message from Kim saying, “Madam Ly, thank you sincerely for sending such a precious gift,” adding that the “beautiful pink ao dai” conveyed Vietnam’s distinctive beauty and that she would cherish the warm sentiment. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 21:49:42
  • South Korea Says Lee’s Vietnam Trip Deepens Energy, Infrastructure Cooperation
    South Korea Says Lee’s Vietnam Trip Deepens Energy, Infrastructure Cooperation The presidential office said Thursday (local time) that President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to Vietnam produced agreement to upgrade cooperation in areas including infrastructure and energy. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said at a briefing at a press center in Hanoi that Lee and To Lam, Vietnam’s Communist Party general secretary and state president, shared the view at their summit the previous day that the two countries are each other’s most reliable partners in driving development. ​​​​​​​Wi said the trip expanded exchanges into future-oriented areas and helped raise the quality of bilateral cooperation. To Lam was reported to have welcomed participation by South Korean companies in Vietnam’s energy transition, including nuclear power plant construction. Asked about specific projects such as the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant project in central Vietnam, Wi said discussions remain at an early stage and both sides are reviewing feasibility and risks. Doosan Enerbility was reported to have signed an MOU with two Vietnamese state-owned companies to cooperate on nuclear power projects. The leaders also discussed supply chains for critical minerals. Wi noted Vietnam ranks fifth to sixth globally in rare earth reserves and said the two sides would broaden cooperation through efforts such as a “Korea-Vietnam Critical Minerals Supply Chain Technology Cooperation Center.” On defense industry cooperation, Wi said there were no “overwhelming” results, but the two sides agreed to explore expanding technology cooperation, joint production and joint development. Wi said the leaders also exchanged views on international affairs, including the Iran war. He said both sides recognized that supply chains have faced disruptions and that Vietnam is also experiencing difficulties related to oil, adding that the two countries would pursue ways to support each other on such issues. Wi said the leaders agreed to strengthen joint efforts for peace and prosperity in the international community and shared the view that peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula serves the common interest of the international community. 2026-04-23 18:13:00
  • South Korea’s Lee Meets Vietnam’s Prime Minister, National Assembly Speaker on Cooperation
    South Korea’s Lee Meets Vietnam’s Prime Minister, National Assembly Speaker on Cooperation South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met Thursday (local time) with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Speaker Tran Thanh Man, the country’s No. 2 and No. 3 leaders, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The meetings followed Lee’s talks the previous day with To Lam, Vietnam’s top leader, the Communist Party general secretary and state president, completing two days of meetings with the country’s newly formed leadership. At the prime minister’s office in Hanoi, Lee asked for support to expand strategic cooperation in areas he described as new growth engines for economic development, including nuclear power, transportation infrastructure and energy, saying the two countries could build a new “Red River miracle” together. Lee said he believed the prime minister would provide strong support so South Korean companies could invest with confidence, and expressed hope the talks would further deepen economic cooperation in line with the countries’ close partnership and lead to shared prosperity. Hung said Vietnam is focused on carrying out strategic tasks to achieve rapid and sustainable national development. He said Vietnam aims to become a high-income developing country with modern industry by 2030 and a high-income advanced country by 2045. Hung also formally invited Prime Minister Kim Min-seok to visit Vietnam. Lee later met Tran at the National Assembly building and said he hoped exchanges between the two legislatures would expand so bilateral cooperation could be supported institutionally. He asked for the Vietnamese National Assembly’s active role in ensuring ties continue to develop steadily. Lee said South Korea and Vietnam have built an unusually fast-growing, mutually beneficial partnership based on trade, investment and active people-to-people exchanges. He said bilateral trade has increased 190-fold and people-to-people exchanges 2,400-fold compared with the time the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. Lee said the two countries are among each other’s top three trading partners and that South Korea is Vietnam’s largest source of foreign investment, adding that consistent support from the Vietnamese National Assembly helped make those results possible. Tran said Lee’s trip was his first visit to Vietnam since taking office and a state visit taking place after Vietnam’s 16th National Assembly was newly formed, reflecting Vietnam’s special emphasis on relations with South Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 17:49:35
  • Lee Jae-myung to Attend Korea-Vietnam Business Forum in Hanoi With Top CEOs
    Lee Jae-myung to Attend Korea-Vietnam Business Forum in Hanoi With Top CEOs President Lee Jae-myung on April 23 (local time) is set to attend the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum in Hanoi to discuss ways to expand economic cooperation between the two countries. The event, held on the occasion of Lee’s state visit to Vietnam, is expected to draw about 500 participants from both countries, including government officials, public institutions and business leaders. South Korea’s economic delegation includes 109 companies. In a keynote address, Lee is expected to underscore the close Korea-Vietnam partnership built on trade and investment. He is also expected to mention cooperation in responding to recent global uncertainty linked to the war in the Middle East. From South Korea, about 250 business leaders are to attend, including Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong; SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who also heads the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo; Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin; POSCO Holdings Chairman Chang In-hwa; HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun; GS Chairman Huh Tae-soo; CJ Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, who also heads the Korea Employers Federation; Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon; and Doosan Enerbility Chairman Park Jie-won. Vietnamese business leaders listed as attending include PVN Chairman Le Ngoc Son; EVN Chairman Dang Hoang An; Sun Group Chairman Dang Minh Truong; THACO Group Chairman Tran Ba Duong; and FPT Group Chairman Truong Gia Binh. At the forum, Samsung Electronics, SK Innovation, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, and the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy are to present on the parts industry, building ecosystems for the power and AI industries, and training talent for science, technology and advanced industries. More than 70 memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed between companies from the two countries across sectors including advanced technology, consumer goods, infrastructure, energy and finance. Earlier on April 23, Lee met with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Vietnam’s No. 2 official, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. A day earlier, Lee met with To Lam, Vietnam’s top official and Communist Party general secretary and state president, and discussed cooperation in supply chains and infrastructure, including energy such as nuclear power plants. Lee is also scheduled to meet with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. Separately, a poll showed Lee’s job approval held at 69% for a third consecutive week. In the National Barometer Survey released April 23, 69% of respondents said Lee was doing a good job, while 21% gave a negative assessment, down 1 percentage point from the previous survey. The poll was conducted April 20-22 among 1,005 adults ages 18 and older by Embrain Public, Kstat Research, Korea Research and Hankook Research. The survey was conducted through telephone interviews using a 100% mobile phone virtual number sample. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, and the response rate was 17.7%. More details are available on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 13:34:09
  • Lee Says South Korea, Vietnam Aim for $150B Trade by 2030, Expand Nuclear and Infrastructure Cooperation
    Lee Says South Korea, Vietnam Aim for $150B Trade by 2030, Expand Nuclear and Infrastructure Cooperation President Lee Jae-myung said South Korea will support efforts to lift trade with Vietnam to $150 billion by 2030 and lay the groundwork to expand cooperation in nuclear power and infrastructure. Lee, on a state visit to Vietnam after traveling to India, made the remarks during a summit on April 22 (local time) with To Lam, the Communist Party’s general secretary and Vietnam’s state president. Lee said South Korea is “the best partner” for Vietnam’s vision of becoming a high-income advanced country by 2045. Vietnam is South Korea’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States. The two countries are each other’s top-three trading partners, and South Korea is Vietnam’s largest investor. Bilateral trade totaled $94.6 billion last year, a record high. South Korean investment in Vietnam through last year reached $56.8 billion, and about 10,000 South Korean companies operate there. South Korea’s key exports, including semiconductors and home appliances, are produced through a division of labor in which parts and materials are shipped from South Korea and finished goods are made in Vietnam. Lee said the summit would help deepen strategic economic cooperation and strengthen communication on an economic and security partnership, including energy, supply-chain stability and cooperation on critical minerals. The two sides exchanged 12 memorandums of understanding and cooperation documents spanning security and protection, digital, science and technology innovation, intellectual property, power infrastructure, water security, animal health and quarantine, culture, underwater cultural heritage, safety of food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and medical devices, nuclear power development, and financing cooperation for nuclear projects. According to a written briefing by presidential spokesperson Lee Kyu-yeon, the countries signed an MOU on safety cooperation for food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and medical devices. They also concluded quarantine talks on heat-treated poultry, which the briefing said would help expand access to Vietnam’s $4.3 billion imported pharmaceuticals market and its $11 billion meat market. They also signed an MOU to review cooperation possibilities in nuclear power development, including exploring options for new nuclear plants, jointly analyzing construction risks and supporting plans to optimize construction schedules. Lee said progress was also made on major national infrastructure projects expected to play a central role in Vietnam’s development, including the Dongnam new city and the new Tra Vinh airport. He added that “a contract is expected to be signed” for South Korea to export rail cars for Ho Chi Minh City’s urban rail system, saying he hoped the deal would contribute to improving Vietnam’s rail infrastructure. The leaders also agreed to build a mutually beneficial partnership to strengthen energy security and stabilize supply chains for critical minerals amid global uncertainty. Through a framework for a South Korea-Vietnam science and technology innovation cooperation master plan, the two sides will present a mid- to long-term vision for cooperation and expand support for training Vietnam’s future talent, including efforts aimed at easing labor shortages faced by South Korean companies operating there. In health care, the South Korean government plans to expand cooperation to strengthen Vietnam’s health capacity and improve access to medical services. It also plans to 추진 a “Central Region Emergency Medical System Strengthening Project” to significantly improve emergency care in Vietnam’s central region, described as medically underserved and frequently visited by South Koreans. The government also said it would support expanded cooperation in cultural industries and broader Korean-language education in Vietnam. During the visit, it plans to hold the “2026 Korea Culture and Tourism Expo,” linking Korean pop culture content with tourism promotion, and to support a “5 million mutual visits era” by boosting people-to-people exchanges, including tourism. Lee said South Korea and Vietnam upgraded ties in 2022, the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, to a comprehensive strategic partnership and became key partners across all fields. He said the visit further developed the relationship in a more future-oriented and strategic direction. Spokesperson Lee said the state visit was part of “relay summit diplomacy” with ASEAN following trips this year to Singapore and the Philippines and the hosting of a state visit to South Korea by Indonesia’s president. He said the trip helped complete the best possible partnership with Vietnam across politics, the economy and culture. The summit with To Lam was the first state event hosted by Vietnam’s new leadership, which took office earlier this month, and came eight months after To Lam’s visit to South Korea in August last year. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 01:09:19
  • South Korea’s Lee, Vietnam’s To Lam trade greetings at state dinner in Hanoi
    South Korea’s Lee, Vietnam’s To Lam trade greetings at state dinner in Hanoi "Xin chao." (President Lee Jae-myung) "Thank you." (To Lam, Vietnam’s party chief and state president) President Lee Jae-myung and To Lam, Vietnam’s Communist Party chief and state president, exchanged greetings in each other’s languages at a state dinner in Hanoi, setting a cordial tone for the event. Speaking at the dinner April 22 (local time) at the Hanoi International Convention Center, Lee said the two countries would deepen cooperation as “core global partners,” including in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation — areas Vietnam has identified as key drivers of future growth. Lee recalled first visiting Vietnam after Seongnam City and Thanh Hoa Province signed a friendship and cooperation memorandum of understanding in 2013. He said he saw Vietnam’s potential then and has been struck by how those “many possibilities” have since translated into remarkable development. Lee noted that this year marks 800 years since Prince Yi Yong-sang of Vietnam’s Ly dynasty settled in Goryeo. He said ties that began with small exchanges have grown into a close relationship, with about 5 million people traveling between the two countries each year. He pointed to “more than 10,000” South Korean companies operating in Vietnam, “about 75,000” Vietnamese students studying at South Korean universities, and the lives of “100,000” South Korea-Vietnam multicultural families as evidence of deepening bonds and trust. Lee urged both sides to work together so that friendship “grown” over centuries can yield benefits for the next generation. Citing a Vietnamese proverb — “100 rivers come together to form one sea” — he said South Korea’s Han River and Vietnam’s Red River “are connected here as one.” Lee said the visions and promises shared would become streams of cooperation that ultimately meet in “a great sea of shared prosperity,” pledging South Korea would remain a steadfast partner. He ended with a Vietnamese toast, “Chuc suc khoe,” meaning “to your health.” In his welcoming remarks, To Lam said the visit came as the Vietnam-South Korea comprehensive strategic partnership strengthens, political trust grows, and cooperation expands in the economy, trade, investment and science, alongside more active people-to-people exchanges. He said Vietnam recently successfully held its 14th Party Congress, elections for the 16th National Assembly, and elections for local councils for the 2026-2031 term. He described Lee as the first state guest to visit Vietnam since the official launch of the country’s new national and government leadership. To Lam said the relationship blends deep history, cultural similarities and strategic interests in a new era, adding that in more than 30 years since diplomatic ties were established, the partnership has advanced rapidly into a comprehensive strategic partnership based on high political trust and more practical, effective cooperation. He said Vietnam is currently South Korea’s largest economic partner in Southeast Asia and its third-largest trading partner. He added that South Korea is Vietnam’s top investor, its second-largest partner in development cooperation and tourism, and its third-largest partner in trade and labor. To Lam compared the friendship to fermented soybean paste that deepens in flavor over time, and cited sayings from both countries about the value of working together. He said cultural similarities, political trust and complementary economic development would help sustain cooperation toward a future of peace, stability, development and prosperity, contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world. Attendees at the state dinner included Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, POSCO Holdings Chairman Chang In-hwa, HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun, GS Chairman Huh Tae-soo, CJ Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon and Daewoo Engineering & Construction Chairman Jung Won-ju. 2026-04-23 00:06:22
  • South Korea presidential security service signs protection MOU with Vietnam police ministry
    South Korea presidential security service signs protection MOU with Vietnam police ministry The Presidential Security Service said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security on April 22 (local time) to strengthen cooperation in protection and security, on the occasion of President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to Vietnam. PSS chief Hwang In-kwon and Vietnamese Public Security Minister Luong Tam Quang held the signing ceremony at the Presidential Palace, with Lee and To Lam, Vietnam’s Communist Party general secretary and state president, in attendance, the service said. Under the MOU, the two agencies agreed to step up cooperation on protection support during visits by the two countries’ heads of state, expand personnel exchanges, provide commissioned training and share protection-related information. Luong said the agreement shows mutual trust in security cooperation and voiced confidence that ties between the ministry and the PSS would deepen and produce tangible results. Hwang said he hopes the MOU will make a practical contribution to bilateral friendship, noting South Korea and Vietnam are in a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” He said he expects protection cooperation between the two agencies to advance to a deeper and more effective stage.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 23:33:17