Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and RoK Foreign Minister Kang Kyung Wha during a meeting in Hanoi, March 2018. (File photo: VOV)

The two exchanged ideas on Vietnam-RoK relations and cooperation. On this occasion, Mr. Minh talked about Vietnam’s decision to suspend the unilateral exemption of visa for RoK citizens starting from Saturday, February 29. This had earlier been notified to the RoK side to strengthen the ability to control the spread of the epidemic, under which RoK citizens holding popular passports are still allowed to enter Vietnam after acquiring the suitable visa. 

Mr. Minh asked the RoK side to closely coordinate with Vietnam in the prevention and fight against the epidemic in general and to support the citizens and businesses working and living in the respective country in particular, and hoped that economic cooperation and trade between the two sides will be maintained as usual.

Foreign Minister Kang affirmed the RoK’s continued efforts to contain the epidemic and stressed it will provide free medical assistance under WHO standards to Vietnamese citizens in the RoK.