Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh made the statement while receiving the Speaker of the RoK National Assembly, Kim Hyong O in Hanoi on November 16.

He praised the two legislative bodies’ role in creating legal frameworks for the development of their respective countries as well as bilateral ties. He said he believes that the two bodies will increase the exchange of friendly visits and share experience and information to promote cooperation.

Meanwhile, Mr Kim affirmed that the RoK will do its utmost to lift the strategic cooperation relationship between the two countries to a new plane.

He congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements during the Renewal and international integration process and briefed Mr Manh on the results of his talks with Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong.

He expressed his belief that Vietnamese people will overcome the consequences of natural disasters and the global economic recession to move forward and successfully build an industrial nation by 2020. 

The same day, the RoK National Assembly speaker was received by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung who noted that the RoK is now one of Vietnam’s leading trade partners. He said the two countries have great potential for cooperation and they should fully exploit it for the development of their respective countries.

The Vietnamese Government will create the best possible conditions for RoK businesses to operate efficiently in the country, Mr Dung assured the visiting RoK Speaker.

He proposed that the RoK promote vocational training and teaching of the Korean language for Vietnamese nationals who are working in the Rok or at RoK-invested companies in Vietnam. He also proposed that the two countries increase cooperation in national defence and security and that the RoK increase its ODA to Vietnam’s key projects.

Speaker Kim acknowledged Mr Dung’s proposals and said both countries should increase the exchange of high-level visits to foster bilateral ties not only in politics but also in other areas. 

He said he hopes Vietnam will help the RoK develop ties with other countries in Southeast Asia.

Mr Kim is on an official visit to Vietnam from November 14-18 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Phu Trong.