Journalist
Kim Bongcheol
nicebong@ajunews.com
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Lee Says South Korea, Vietnam Aim for $150 Billion Trade by 2030, Expand Nuclear and Infrastructure Cooperation President Lee Jae-myung said South Korea will work with Vietnam to help reach $150 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 and to lay the groundwork for expanded cooperation in nuclear power and infrastructure. Lee, on a state visit to Vietnam after visiting India, made the remarks on April 22 during a summit with To Lam, the Communist Party general secretary and state president. “Korea is the best partner for realizing Vietnam’s vision of becoming a high-income advanced country by 2045,” Lee said. Vietnam is South Korea’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and the two countries are each other’s top-three trading partners. South Korea is also Vietnam’s largest investor, the article said. Bilateral trade totaled $94.6 billion last year, a record high. Through last year, South Korean investment in Vietnam totaled $56.8 billion, and about 10,000 South Korean companies operate there. In key export sectors such as semiconductors and home appliances, South Korea ships parts and materials and Vietnam produces finished goods, making Vietnam a key link in South Korea’s manufacturing value chain. Lee said the summit would help further upgrade 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 signed a memorandum of understanding to review possible cooperation on nuclear power development, including support for exploring new nuclear plant construction, jointly analyzing construction risks and developing ways to optimize construction schedules. Lee also cited progress on major state-led infrastructure projects expected to play a central role in Vietnam’s development, including the Southeast New City and the Gia Binh new airport. He said a contract is expected to be signed to export South Korean railcars for Ho Chi Minh City’s urban rail system. “I hope this contract will contribute to improving Vietnam’s rail infrastructure,” Lee said. The leaders also agreed on building a mutually beneficial partnership to strengthen energy security and stabilize supply chains for critical minerals amid global uncertainty. Through a Korea-Vietnam science and technology innovation cooperation master plan framework, the two countries 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 there. The government also said it will support broader cooperation in cultural industries and expand Korean-language education in Vietnam. During the visit, it plans to hold the “2026 Korea Culture and Tourism Festival,” linking Korean pop culture content with tourism promotion, and to support what it called an era of “5 million mutual visits” by boosting people-to-people exchanges, including tourism. Lee said that in 2022, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties, South Korea and Vietnam elevated relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and became key partners with wide-ranging cooperation. He said the visit further advanced the relationship in a more future-oriented and strategic direction. The summit was the first state visit hosted by Vietnam’s new leadership, which took office earlier this month, and came eight months after Lam’s visit to South Korea in August last year. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 23:24:18 -
Lee Jae-myung says South Korea, Vietnam expanding cooperation from infrastructure to future industries Lee Jae-myung said April 22 that South Korea is pursuing broad cooperation with Vietnam, ranging from “hardware” sectors such as logistics, transportation, energy and infrastructure to future industries including science and technology, intellectual property and creative industries. Lee, on a state visit to Vietnam after visiting India, made the remarks in a joint press statement after a summit with To Lam, the Communist Party general secretary and state president. Lee said South Korea is “the best partner” for Vietnam’s vision of becoming a high-income advanced country by 2045. The two leaders said the summit further strengthened cooperation under their “comprehensive strategic partnership.” They said the countries agreed to develop trade and investment ties on a more mutually beneficial basis to meet a goal of $150 billion in trade by 2030. Following is the full text of the South Korea-Vietnam joint press statement: Thank you to General Secretary To Lam and the people of Vietnam for inviting me and our delegation and for your warm welcome. After the launch of South Korea’s new government last year, the general secretary visited South Korea as the first state guest. This time, I am visiting as the first state guest following the launch of Vietnam’s new leadership. I believe this is a special scene that shows how close our relationship is. I am also very pleased to see firsthand Vietnam’s dynamic development under General Secretary To Lam’s leadership. Vietnam is South Korea’s third-largest partner for trade and investment, and South Korea is Vietnam’s largest investor. About 10,000 South Korean companies have entered Vietnam across sectors including petrochemicals, shipbuilding, steel and electronics, building a high level of economic partnership. As the best partner for Vietnam’s vision of becoming a high-income advanced country by 2045, South Korea is pursuing wide-ranging cooperation from logistics, transportation, energy and infrastructure to future industries such as science and technology, intellectual property and creative industries. At today’s talks, we agreed to further strengthen this “comprehensive strategic partnership.” I will outline the main outcomes of the summit. First, to achieve the goal of $150 billion in trade by 2030, we agreed to develop trade and investment cooperation on a more mutually beneficial basis. For the first time, the two countries agreed to mutually export heat-treated processed meat. Based on the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in animal health and quarantine signed this time, we agreed to accelerate cooperation to expand trade in agricultural and livestock products. I again thank General Secretary To Lam for highly valuing the role of our companies in Vietnam and for saying he will actively work to ensure stable and predictable business conditions for them. Second, based on firm mutual trust, we agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in energy and infrastructure. We shared the view that cooperation is even more necessary amid supply-chain instability stemming from the recent Middle East situation. We agreed to work more closely to strengthen energy security and stabilize supply chains. Tomorrow, a contract will be signed for South Korea to export rail cars for Ho Chi Minh City’s urban railway. I hope the contract contributes to improving Vietnam’s rail infrastructure and leads to expanded cooperation on major transportation and logistics infrastructure projects Vietnam is pursuing. We also agreed to communicate closely so that projects such as new cities and new airports, which Vietnam is pursuing as part of its national development vision, can produce many model cases of bilateral infrastructure cooperation. Third, we agreed to expand cooperation in forward-looking areas including science and technology, climate change and the environment, and culture and education. I expressed support for General Secretary To Lam’s science and technology development policies and said South Korea will actively contribute. Based on the “master plan for cooperation in science, technology and innovation,” we will strengthen cooperation on joint research in semiconductors, secondary batteries and biotechnology, and on support for training research talent. The memorandum of understanding on digital cooperation signed this time will expand cooperation in digital fields such as AI and semiconductors and will also contribute significantly to the expansion of our IT companies into Vietnam. In addition, we signed a memorandum of understanding on water security cooperation to prevent flood damage linked to climate change and to secure water security. We also agreed to work together to strengthen cultural cooperation, including media, with Vietnam, where the outlook for creative industries is bright, and to strengthen Korean-language education in Vietnam. Fourth, we agreed to cooperate closely to ensure stable stays and to enhance the rights and interests of each other’s citizens and multicultural families. Vietnam is the second most visited country in the world for South Koreans, with as many as 4.5 million South Koreans visiting each year. It is also the top country for international marriages involving South Koreans, forming 100,000 multicultural families. It is also the ASEAN country with the largest population of overseas Koreans. General Secretary To Lam said he will support the safety of our citizens visiting Vietnam and help ensure convenient stays for overseas Koreans in Vietnam and second-generation South Korea-Vietnam families. I also promised to continue working to enhance the rights and interests of Vietnamese workers and marriage immigrants in South Korea. Finally, the two leaders also exchanged broad views on ways to promote peace and stability in the region, including the Korean Peninsula. I explained our vision for a Korean Peninsula where North and South coexist peacefully and grow together. General Secretary To Lam highly valued our government’s sincere will to resume dialogue and cooperation and said he will contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Our two countries will also communicate closely and expand cooperation on the international stage, including at the United Nations. Our government will faithfully implement the cooperation measures agreed with General Secretary To Lam today and further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries. Once again, I express my deep gratitude for the hospitality of General Secretary To Lam and the people of Vietnam. Thank you. 2026-04-22 21:03:30 -
South Korea, Vietnam to Boost Strategic Cooperation; Metro Railcar Export Deal Set The South Korean government said April 22 (local time) it agreed with Vietnam to strengthen strategic cooperation, aiming to raise bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030. To reach that goal, the two sides said they will expand cooperation across sectors, from logistics, transportation, energy and infrastructure to future industries such as science and technology, intellectual property and creative industries. President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Vietnam after visiting India, made the remarks in a joint press statement after a summit with To Lam, the Communist Party general secretary and state president. “Korea is the best partner for realizing Vietnam’s vision of becoming a high-income advanced country by 2045,” Lee said. Vietnam is South Korea’s third-largest partner for trade and investment, while South Korea is Vietnam’s largest investor, the government said. About 10,000 South Korean companies operate in Vietnam across industries including petrochemicals, shipbuilding, steel and electronics. The two countries agreed for the first time to allow mutual exports of heat-treated processed meat. They also signed a memorandum of understanding on animal health and quarantine cooperation to speed efforts to expand trade in agricultural and livestock products. They also signed MOUs on safety cooperation for food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and medical devices, and on deeper cooperation in intellectual property. Citing strong mutual trust, the two sides agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in energy and infrastructure. Lee said both countries shared the view that supply-chain instability linked to the recent Middle East situation has increased the need for closer cooperation, and agreed to work together to bolster energy security and stabilize supply chains. Lee said a contract is expected to be signed “tomorrow” for South Korea to export railcars for Ho Chi Minh City’s urban railway. He said he hopes the deal will help improve Vietnam’s rail infrastructure and lead to broader cooperation on major transportation and logistics projects Vietnam is pursuing. The leaders also agreed to keep communicating so they can build more model cases of infrastructure cooperation through Vietnam’s new city and new airport projects, which are part of its national development vision. In forward-looking areas such as science and technology, climate change and the environment, and culture and education, the two sides said they will strengthen cooperation based on a “master plan” for science and technology innovation. That includes joint research and support for training research talent in semiconductors, secondary batteries and biotechnology. They also signed a digital cooperation MOU to support South Korean IT companies entering Vietnam, and a water security cooperation MOU aimed at preventing flood damage linked to climate change and securing water security. The two countries said they will also work to expand cultural cooperation, including media, and strengthen Korean-language education in Vietnam. On people-to-people ties, Lee said Vietnam is the second most-visited country for South Koreans, with about 4.5 million visits a year. He also described Vietnam as the top country for international marriages involving South Koreans, with 100,000 multicultural families, and as the largest home to overseas Koreans within ASEAN. Lee pledged continued efforts to improve the rights and interests of Vietnamese workers and marriage immigrants living in South Korea. The two leaders also exchanged views on ways to promote peace and stability in the region, including on the Korean Peninsula. Lee said the two countries will communicate closely and expand cooperation on international stages such as the United Nations, and will further develop their comprehensive strategic partnership. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 21:01:10 -
Lee urges shift to higher-quality cooperation with Vietnam; To Lam stresses trust President Lee Jae-myung said April 22 (local time) that South Korea and Vietnam should turn quantitative gains into higher-quality cooperation to build “a sustainable future of shared prosperity” as geopolitical uncertainty rises and global competition for technological leadership intensifies. Speaking at an expanded summit meeting with Vietnam’s Communist Party chief and state president, To Lam, at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Lee praised Vietnam for posting “one of the region’s highest economic growth rates” last year and for serving as a key economic engine in ASEAN. Lee called for mutually beneficial cooperation beyond trade and investment, including energy security, transportation and infrastructure, science and technology, and education and culture, and urged both sides to deliver tangible results that people and businesses can feel. Lee said the two countries have built a “top-level partnership” across politics, the economy and people-to-people exchanges in the 34 years since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992. He said about 5 million people travel between the two countries each year and exchanges in culture, education and other areas continue to expand. He said the two nations are among each other’s top three trading partners, and that South Korea is Vietnam’s largest investor. More than 10,000 South Korean companies operate in Vietnam, he said, contributing to both countries’ economic growth and Vietnam’s industrial development. In opening remarks, To Lam said Lee’s visit “most clearly demonstrates” the comprehensive strategic partnership based on high mutual trust, and he congratulated the South Korean government and people on their recent achievements. To Lam said he was impressed by Lee’s governing principles that prioritize coexistence and harmony, respect and trust. He said he believes South Korea will achieve further results under Lee’s leadership and strategic vision and contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the world. He said the Vietnam-South Korea comprehensive strategic partnership has produced “remarkable achievements” across all fields over 35 years of development, and welcomed that the two sides have worked strategically as close friends who understand each other and as partners that can truly be trusted. To Lam said Vietnam’s party, state and people highly value Lee’s commitment to bilateral ties from his time as Seongnam mayor through his inauguration as president. He said Vietnam is ready for in-depth discussions on ways to strengthen strategic trust, expand practical cooperation and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as on regional and international issues of mutual interest. 2026-04-22 21:00:15 -
Lee Jae-myung tells Koreans in Vietnam he aims to deepen strategic cooperation President Lee Jae-myung said April 22 (local time) that South Korea will expand cooperation with Vietnam in strategic areas including nuclear power, infrastructure and science and technology innovation, while stepping up coordination on global challenges such as supply chain stability, sustainable growth and climate change. Speaking at a luncheon meeting with Koreans in Vietnam at a hotel in Hanoi during his state visit, Lee said he wants to develop the two countries’ cooperation — already at its highest level — into a more future-oriented and strategic partnership. Lee noted that since diplomatic ties were established in 1992, the two countries have become each other’s third-largest trading partners within a generation. He said Vietnam is South Korea’s largest destination for investment, with about 10,000 South Korean companies operating there. In 2022, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the two countries elevated relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Lee said South Korea and Vietnam “have a lot in common,” pointing to bonds across history, culture and the economy. He cited shared experiences of enduring foreign domination, overcoming hardship through their own efforts, and suffering the pain of division and war, adding that both are rooted in a Confucian cultural sphere that fosters close emotional ties. Lee also singled out Kim Sang-sik, head coach of Vietnam’s national soccer team, who attended the luncheon. Noting that soccer is called the “king sport” in Vietnam, Lee joked that would make Kim the “king of kings,” calling it “something to be proud of.” Lee referred to his time as mayor of Seongnam, when he served as owner of Seongnam FC, saying he is currently on trial after being accused of what he described as a “strange” offense while trying to help the club succeed. Turning to the Korean community, Lee said the Korean population in Vietnam has grown to about 200,000, making it the largest Korean community in ASEAN and the world’s fifth-largest. He pledged active support. He said about 100,000 South Korea-Vietnam multicultural families are a valuable foundation that connects the two countries “by blood,” but face difficulties. Lee said the “people-sovereignty government” will closely examine the challenges faced by overseas multicultural families and do its best to resolve them quickly as part of building an inclusive South Korea. After Lee’s remarks, Yang Mo-se, president of the Korean Association in Hanoi, said South Korea and Vietnam are neighbors that share a resilient history of preserving their identity against outside powers and a spiritual foundation in Confucian culture. He asked for the homeland’s warm attention and support so Koreans in Vietnam can act with greater confidence and contribute to South Korea amid the deepening partnership. Three community representatives shared their experiences: Pham Thi Nua, vice chair of the legal and administrative committee of the Vietnam council of the National Unification Advisory Council; Lee Yong-deuk, vice president of the Hanoi Korea-Vietnam Family Association; and Jung Ye-won, president of the Hanoi Korean Students Association. Pham said she was born in Vietnam but has regarded South Korea as her second home since forming a family with her South Korean husband 28 years ago. She said she will continue to do her best to serve as a bridge between the two countries as a “civilian diplomat.” Lee Yong-deuk said there are about 8,000 Korea-Vietnam families in Vietnam, and that 40% of the elementary division at the Korean International School in Hanoi are children of Korea-Vietnam families. He urged support so second-generation children can grow into true leaders linking the two countries. Jung described the students association’s roles, including protecting students’ lives and rights and supporting summit interpretation and overseas voting-site operations. After listening, Lee said the South Korea-Vietnam partnership, built on shared experience of overcoming adversity, is not a coincidence but an inevitable result created by Koreans living in Vietnam. He said that although they live outside South Korea, overseas Koreans often show even greater concern for the homeland, and he pledged continued government support so they can work in a more stable environment. He also said he would consider a system to better reflect overseas Koreans’ views. A cultural performance followed, with the Hanoi Boys and Girls Choir singing the children’s song “Mungge Cloud,” and the Hanoi Traditional Korean Music Research Institute’s “Sori Dongne” presenting an “Arirang” medley.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 20:33:22 -
Lee Jae-myung Pledges Expanded Strategic Cooperation With Vietnam on Nuclear, Infrastructure Lee Jae-myung said April 22 (local time) that South Korea will expand cooperation with Vietnam in strategic areas including nuclear power, infrastructure and science and technology innovation, while stepping up coordination on global challenges such as supply chain stability, sustainable growth and climate change. Speaking at a luncheon meeting with Koreans in Vietnam at a hotel in Hanoi, Lee, who is on a state visit, said he aims to use the trip to develop what he called the two countries’ already top-level cooperation into a more future-oriented and strategic partnership. Lee noted that since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, the two countries have become each other’s top three trading partners within a generation. He said Vietnam is South Korea’s largest destination for investment, with about 10,000 South Korean companies operating there. The two countries upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Lee said South Korea and Vietnam have much in common, citing shared historical, cultural and economic bonds. He pointed to long periods of foreign domination, efforts to overcome hardship through their own strength, and the pain of division and war, adding that both societies share emotional ties rooted in the Confucian cultural sphere. Lee also encouraged athletes, singling out Kim Sang-sik, head coach of Vietnam’s national soccer team, who attended the luncheon. Noting that soccer is called the “king sport” in Vietnam, Lee joked that Kim would then be the “king of kings,” calling it “something to be truly proud of.” Lee, who said he once served as owner of Seongnam FC while he was mayor of Seongnam, added, “I also was once a soccer club owner, and while trying to make it succeed, I ended up being accused of a strange crime and am now on trial.” Turning to the Korean community in Vietnam, Lee said it has grown to about 200,000 people, making it the largest among ASEAN countries and the world’s fifth-largest Korean community. He expressed support for the community and said about 100,000 South Korea-Vietnam multicultural families are a valuable foundation linking the two countries by blood but face various difficulties. He pledged that the “people’s sovereignty government” would closely examine those challenges and do its best to resolve them quickly to build an inclusive South Korea. Lee began his state-visit schedule with the meeting and was set to hold a summit later that afternoon with To Lam, the Communist Party general secretary and state president. It will be Lee’s first meeting with Lam since August last year, eight months ago. Lam also assumed the post of Vietnam’s state president in April this year. An official welcoming ceremony was to be held beforehand in the main garden of the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. The schedule was to include a small-group summit, expanded talks, an exchange of memorandums of understanding, and a joint press statement. A state banquet was planned after the summit.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 15:24:02
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Lee set to hold talks with Vietnamese leader in Hanoi SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is set to sit down for talks with Vietnamese President Tô Lâm in Hanoi on Wednesday. Lee's meeting with Lâm, who also serves as General Secretary of the Communist Party, comes about eight months after the Vietnamese leader visited Seoul in August last year. Their meeting also comes after South Korea agreed with its third-largest trading partner to further enhance bilateral relations in 2022, when the two countries marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties. During the summit, the two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation across various sectors from nuclear power and infrastructure to artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and energy. Senior officials from both sides will then join an expanded meeting, followed by a joint press statement and a state banquet to round out the day. Among key topics in their talks will be concrete steps to deepen bilateral cooperation, with both countries having already set a goal of increasing trade from the current $94.6 billion to $150 billion by 2030. With the prolonged conflict in the Middle East continuing to rattle global markets, the two sides are also expected to pursue a mutually beneficial partnership in supply chains for energy and critical minerals. 2026-04-22 10:28:21 -
President Lee Jae-myung to Meet Vietnam Leader To Lam to Discuss AI, Energy Cooperation President Lee Jae-myung is set to hold a summit on April 22 (local time) with Vietnam’s To Lam, the Communist Party general secretary and state president. The leaders are expected to discuss practical cooperation across areas including nuclear power, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, critical minerals and energy. Lee will meet To in Hanoi in the afternoon. An official welcome ceremony is scheduled beforehand at the main garden of the presidential palace in Hanoi. The schedule includes a small-group meeting, expanded talks, an exchange of memorandums of understanding and a joint press statement. A state banquet is planned after the summit. It will be Lee’s first meeting with To since August last year, about eight months ago. To also began serving concurrently as Vietnam’s state president in April. South Korea upgraded ties with Vietnam, its third-largest trading partner, from a “strategic cooperative partnership” to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in 2022, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Following To’s state visit to South Korea in August last year, the two countries agreed to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership. They also agreed to raise bilateral trade from the current $94.6 billion to $150 billion (about 222 trillion won) by 2030. During Lee’s visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss more specific steps to deepen ties, including expanded cooperation in nuclear power and infrastructure. The South Korean government is expected to convey its willingness for mutually beneficial cooperation on major national infrastructure projects in Vietnam, including the Southeast New City development and the new Tra Vinh airport. It also expects that expanding South Korean pharmaceuticals’ access to Vietnam’s import market could boost exports by about 100 billion won a year. With global uncertainty rising due to the Middle East war and other factors, the two sides are also expected to pursue a mutually beneficial partnership to strengthen energy security and stabilize supply chains for critical minerals. Vietnam’s role as a hub for the Korean Wave in ASEAN is also expected to grow, supported by the popularity of K-culture in the country. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 08:54:16 -
Lee heads to Hanoi after wrapping up visit to India SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is heading to Hanoi on Tuesday, after wrapping up his trip to India earlier in the week. Lee is scheduled to hold talks on Wednesday with Vietnamese President Tô Lâm, who also serves as general secretary of the Communist Party. Lee's trip is a reciprocal visit, coming about eight months after Lâm visited Seoul in August last year. As the first leg of his itinerary in Viet Nam, Lee will meet with South Koreans living there. He will then visit Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum to lay a wreath before having a summit with Lâm later in the day, followed by a joint press statement and a state banquet. Lee will also meet with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and have lunch with National Assembly chairman Tran Thanh Man the following day, before attending a forum with business leaders from both countries to discuss ways to expand trade and investment. Before returning home on Friday, Lee will tour the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. 2026-04-21 15:07:53 -
President Lee Jae-myung Heads to Vietnam After India Trip, Eyes High-Tech Cooperation President Lee Jae-myung will leave India on April 21 after wrapping up a two-night, three-day trip and travel to Hanoi, Vietnam. The visit will be the first state event hosted by Vietnam’s new leadership, which took office earlier this month. It will also be a return visit, coming eight months after Communist Party General Secretary To Lam visited South Korea in August last year. After arriving in Hanoi, Lee will begin his schedule on April 22 with a meeting with members of the Korean community. He will lay flowers at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and attend an official welcome ceremony with Vietnam’s leadership. Lee will then hold a summit with To Lam, followed by an exchange of memorandums of understanding, a joint press statement and a state banquet. On April 23, he is to meet with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and have lunch with National Assembly Speaker Tran Thanh Man. Lee will also attend a Korea-Vietnam business forum to meet with business leaders from both countries and discuss ways to expand trade and investment. On April 24, he is to tour the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel with To Lam before returning home. Separately, Lee posted on Facebook on April 21 under the title, “Korea and India, walking together toward a better future,” reflecting on his India trip. “This summit was a place to discuss concrete and practical measures to take Korea-India cooperation to the next level,” Lee wrote. “We agreed to deepen cooperation in strategic core areas such as shipbuilding, finance, AI and the defense industry, and to create new growth opportunities together based on advanced technology and innovation.” He added, “Above all, I extend my deep gratitude for the warm welcome shown by Prime Minister Modi and the people of India,” and said he hoped to meet again in South Korea in the near future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 12:34:01