Yonhap News Agency reported on the welcoming ceremony for General Secretary To Lam at the Presidential Office on August 11 by President Lee Jae-muyng. The RoK fired a 21-gun salute to welcome the General Secretary and his spouse, following the highest ceremonial protocol.

The agency stressed that General Secretary Lam is the first foreign leader to visit the RoK since President Lee took office in early June. Citing Presidential Office spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, Yonhap said the talks focused on political, security, trade, and investment issues, as well as future strategic areas such as nuclear power, high-speed rail, smart cities, and science and technology. Kang described Vietnam as one of the RoK’s most important comprehensive strategic partners in the region.

RoK media quoted President Lee’s opening remarks during the high-level talks, emphasising that General Secretary Lam is the first foreign guest since the RoK formed its new administration, and that the RoK always regards Vietnam as a key partner in implementing its regional foreign policy.

KBS noted that the Joint Statement issued after the high-level talks highlights plans to expand cooperation in future-oriented fields such as science and technology, energy, and supply chains, while strengthening coordination on international issues.

The Korea Herald described General Secretary Lam’s visit as the beginning of an important month of diplomacy for President Lee, who may hold talks with the US and Japanese leaders later in August.

The paper also cited President Lee’s interview with the press ahead of the Vietnamese leader’s visit, in which he said RoK-Vietnam relations are ready to reach new heights by expanding cooperation into “strategic and future-oriented” areas such as artificial intelligence and infrastructure. The President called Vietnam an indispensable partner not only in economic cooperation but also in efforts to promote peace and stability.

The Korea Times reported that the leaders of the RoK and Vietnam would discuss ways to boost bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, security, and advanced technology. The paper said President Lee has a special interest in Vietnam and hoped that General Secretary Lam’s visit would help expand and deepen the RoK’s Southeast Asia – centred diplomacy.

Dong A Ilbo listed the areas in which the two countries have been and will continue to promote cooperation, such as trade, investment, security, energy, supply chains, and future-oriented technology, noting that their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will be further strengthened in the time ahead.

Meanwhile, Reuters (UK) and devdiscourse.com (India) reported the Vietnamese leader’s visit is expected to pave the way for Korean businesses to invest in key infrastructure projects in Vietnam.

Ainvest.com (USA) described the RoK–Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership as a symbol of economic resilience amid global geopolitical and trade uncertainties. The newswire noted that the high-level talks between General Secretary To Lam and President Lee Jae-myung mark a pivotal moment in bilateral relations, underscoring both countries’ efforts to make strategic investments in infrastructure and energy.

It stressed that the comprehensive strategic partnership is a forward-looking strategy to build a sustainable, flexible economic corridor. By prioritising infrastructure and energy, Vietnam and the RoK are shaping a growth model capable of withstanding global fluctuations while attracting international investors.

Vietnam, RoK keen to boost market access toward US$150 billion trade target by 2030

VOV.VN - Both nations have agreed to further facilitate trade and open markets for each other’s goods, while supporting Vietnamese businesses in deepening their integration into global supply chains of the Republic of Korea, with the goal of reaching a bilateral trade turnover of US$150 billion by 2030.