Seoul, April 03, 2024, The Europe Today: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng, also Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (OV) Affairs, reaffirmed the robust and flourishing relationship between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) during her working visit to South Korea.
In her discussions with Governor Kim Kwan Yyeong of Jeonbuk province and Mayor Bok Soo Kim of Naju city in Jeollanam-do province, Deputy Minister Hằng emphasized that Vietnam-RoK ties are currently enjoying their most vibrant phase in history. She highlighted the RoK’s status as the largest foreign direct investor in Vietnam, with investments totaling US$86 billion, and underscored the extensive cultural exchanges and high-level diplomatic engagements between the two nations.
Governor Kim Kwan Yeong lauded the contributions of the Vietnamese community in Jeonbuk, particularly Vietnamese brides, in nurturing multicultural families and bolstering bilateral relations. He pledged to enhance support for Vietnamese workers by streamlining visa procedures, considering Vietnamese language programs in local schools, and fostering the stability and prosperity of the Vietnamese community.
Mayor Bok Soo Kim showcased Naju city’s economic prowess, boasting a robust industrial and agricultural sector supported by major conglomerates. He expressed the city’s need for skilled labor and highlighted recent agreements with Vietnamese localities, including labor cooperation with Thuận Thành District in Bắc Ninh province and twinning arrangements with Đồng Nai province.
In response, Deputy Minister Hằng proposed further collaboration in labor, trade, and vocational training, particularly in facilitating the employment of skilled Vietnamese workers in South Korea. She also advocated for continued support and integration measures for the Vietnamese community residing in the region.
During her visit, Deputy Minister Hằng inaugurated the Vietnamese community office in Jeonbuk and engaged in fruitful discussions with Vietnamese Associations in Jeonbuk and Jeonnam Gwang Ju, underscoring the importance of community cohesion and welfare.
Currently comprising approximately 15,000 individuals, primarily students, workers, and Vietnamese-Korean families, the Vietnamese community in Jeonbuk serves as a vital bridge fostering people-to-people exchanges and contributing to the enduring friendship between Vietnam and South Korea.
