Yonhap reports and features images of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to Vietnam. (Screenshot)

The newspapers all reported on President Yoon Suk Yeol laying flowers and visiting President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, followed by high-level meetings between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Vietnamese leaders.

Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported that previous South Korean Presidents, including President Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung Bak, and Park Geun-hye, all visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum when visiting Vietnam.

Yonhap news agency quoted Mr. Lee Do-woon, spokesman of the President of South Korea, as saying that President Yoon Suk Yeol met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong on June 23 and discussed measures to develop bilateral relations.

At the meeting, President Yoon Suk Yeol called for developing bilateral relations in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in December 2022, while emphasizing that cooperation between the two countries needs to go beyond the old frameworks of people-to-people exchanges, education and training to move towards advanced technology fields.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stressed that Vietnam attaches importance to its relationship with the Republic of Korea and expressed his delight that the two countries have established a foundation to develop their relationship through upgrading their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stressed the need to strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries.

The Korean press also reported on the meeting between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The newspapers emphasized that this was the second meeting between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh within a month, after their talks on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, last May.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed measures to expand economic cooperation in areas including critical minerals, energy and defense.

According to spokesman Lee Do-woon, at the meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the need for cooperation in expanding the supply chain of important minerals and cooperation in the fields of energy and defense.

Mr. Lee Do-woon quoted President Yoon Suk Yeol as affirming: "Witnessing Vietnam's vibrant development, I am more confident that Vietnam's goal of becoming a developed country by 2045 is achievable and Korea will be a reliable partner in Vietnam's development process."

President Yoon Suk Yeol suggested that the two sides strengthen cooperation in areas such as economic security, including the supply chain of critical minerals; energy and smart city development.

The South Korean leader asked Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to help Korean businesses operating in Vietnam by improving systems and regulations on remittance management, taxes, and land use regulations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pledged to make efforts to facilitate Korean companies’ business in Vietnam, and suggested that the two sides further expand economic cooperation in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Accordingly, the areas encouraged for cooperation include digital transformation, advanced technology, and infrastructure.

The press also reported on the meeting between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue. Spokesperson Lee Do-woon said that President Yoon Suk Yeol proposed to further strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' parliaments and coordinate in the legislative process for the benefit of the people and businesses.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that he will actively support to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' National Assemblies, contributing to strengthening the overall bilateral relationship.

South Korean media reported that a total of 111 business cooperation memorandums (MoUs) in 20 fields were signed, focusing on defense, medical, electric vehicles and core minerals.

The presence of the heads of the largest Korean corporations, including Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Chairman Chey Tae-won, who is currently Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hyundai Chairman Eui-sun Chung, LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin, Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon, HD Hyundai Chairman Jung Ki-seon, Daewoo E&C Chairman Jeong Won-joo, and heads of economic organizations is said to ensure solid results for the economic goals expected during President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to Vietnam this time.

In addition, the Korean press stated that on the Vietnamese side, ministers and deputy ministers of 13 ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Planning and Investment, Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development, attended the events.

GS Energy announced that it has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with the Export-Import Bank of Korea and Vietnam’s Vina Capital to provide financial support for the promotion of the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in Long An province.

This is a power supply project by constructing a 3GW (gigawatt) LNG combined cycle power plant in Long An province.

SMEs attending the forum also announced business partnerships with local related companies. Kakao Mobility announced that it had met with innovative startups in the mobility and travel sectors in Vietnam such as Ship60 and Eco Truck to discuss how to build a joint technology cooperation system.