Deputy Minister of National Defense Hoang Xuan Chien (fifth from right) and his RoK counterpart Kim Seon Ho at the 11th Vietnam-Republic of Korea Defense Policy Dialogue (Photo: VNA)

Co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense Hoang Xuan Chien and his RoK counterpart Kim Seon Ho, the forum reviewed results of the two countries’ defense cooperation, discussed matters of shared concerns, and agreed on orientations for further cooperation in the future.

Chien said that the bilateral ties have been enhanced across areas, including defense, following the upgrade of the Vietnam-RoK relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022.

He  said with support from their leaders, bilateral defense cooperation has reaped practical outcomes with strengthened delegation exchanges, education-training, dialogue and consultation mechanisms, defense industry, military trade, war aftermath address, cybersecurity, military medicine, and UN peacekeeping.

The two sides have have consulted and supported each other at multilateral forums and mechanisms, particularly ASEAN-led mechanisms.

He recommended they continue to foster joint work in these spheres, and affirmed that the Vietnamese defense ministry is willing to host senior officers from the RoK attending training courses at the National Defense Academy and Vietnamese language courses at the Military Science Academy in Vietnam. 

He took the occasion to thank the RoK Government for granting a total of 34 million USD for two projects on tackling wartime bombs in Vietnam.

Kim stated the RoK wants to expand its defense collaboration with Vietnam and proposed the sides maintain current joint activities and explore new cooperation areas based on their friendship.

At the dialogue, the officials exchanged views on the global and regional situations of mutual concerns.

The deputy ministers also signed the dialogue’s minutes.