Korean Ambassador: Vietnam-Korea relations are a miracle of development

Over the past 25 years, Vietnam - Korea relations have developed at a miraculous pace.

2017 opened a new chapter in Vietnam-Korea relations, as the two countries celebrated the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1992-2017). Although only a quarter of a century has passed, the cooperative relationship between the two countries has developed continuously in all fields.

On the occasion of this important event, Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Lee Hyuk gave an interview about the achievements that the two countries have made over the past 25 years.

Ambassador Lee Hyuk interviewed by VTV reporter.

PV: Dear Ambassador, 2017 marks an important milestone in Vietnam - Korea relations. Could you please share your assessment of the achievements in the relationship between the two countries over the past 25 years?

Ambassador Lee Huyk: Over the past 25 years, Vietnam - Korea relations have developed at a miraculous pace. To date, Korea has become the largest foreign investor in Vietnam with a total capital of more than 50 billion USD. Vietnam is the 4th largest trading partner of Korea, specifically the two-way trade turnover between the two countries in 2016 reached 45.1 billion USD.

Looking at that result, it can be said that it is difficult for anyone to imagine that after 25 years of relations, the two countries have achieved such a remarkable development. This achievement is thanks to many factors, the most important of which is the economic mutual support structure between the two countries.

In addition, Korean enterprises also see the growth potential of Vietnam, in which they highly appreciate the skills and diligence of Vietnamese workers. That is also the reason for a large wave of Korean investors entering the Vietnamese market.

In addition to economics, tourism is also an area in which the two countries have achieved very good results. In 2016, nearly 1.75 million people from the two countries visited each other, which also shows that Vietnam is the country that Koreans visit the most in Southeast Asia. The number of Vietnamese tourists and students going to Korea is also increasing.

Based on the above mentioned good cooperation results, 2017 will be a year for us to look back on the past 25 years of the Korea - Vietnam relationship and continue to consolidate a solid foundation for the exchange and cooperation between the two countries to develop deeper and wider.

PV: Mr. Ambassador, so in the future, which areas of cooperation are considered the focus of promotion between the two countries?

Ambassador Lee Huyk: I believe that in the coming time, the relationship between Vietnam and Korea can be expanded in many more areas. Although trade and investment have achieved many great results in the past, their potential has not yet been fully exploited.

Therefore, I think we will continue to focus on cooperation in this field. Many Korean enterprises are still wanting to invest in Vietnam or expand their investment in Vietnam.

In addition, the cultural similarities between the two countries will be the basis for us to focus more on cooperation in this field. In recent years, the Korean cultural wave has come to Vietnam and has been widely welcomed by Vietnamese people, from music to cinema. We have also had many cooperation projects in these fields.

PV:What are your expectations for the next phase of cooperation between the two countries?

Ambassador Lee Huyk: 2017 is the starting year for the next 25 years of Korea-Vietnam relations. Therefore, I think we all need to contribute more efforts.

We will continue to diversify our cooperation in all fields such as politics, economy, culture and society, strengthen mutually beneficial relations on the basis of mutual understanding and respect, and strongly promote exchanges between the two countries' young generations to bring the Korea-Vietnam strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level.

PV:Thank you very much Ambassador./.

According to VOV