At the invitation of Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Hee-sang, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and a Vietnamese National Assembly delegation paid a working visit to RoK on 4-7 December 2018.

At the talks and contacts between senior leaders of the two countries, the RoK leaders expressed their confidence that the official visit of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and the high-level delegation of the National Assembly of Vietnam would continue to promote the relationship between the two National Assemblies and at the same time contribute positively to deepening the strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and RoK.

The leaders emphasized the need to continue maintaining regular exchanges and contacts between high-ranking leaders, creating favorable conditions to promote cooperation between different levels, sectors, industries and localities, thereby contributing to enhancing understanding and strengthening political trust, developing stable and long-term bilateral relations, creating a favorable environment to expand cooperation in areas mentioned in the “Vietnam-RoK Joint Statement towards the future."

On international issues, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan emphasized that Vietnam welcomed RoK's new “Look South Policy," which promotes cooperation with ASEAN countries, focusing on Vietnam. Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to promote multifaceted cooperation between Korea and ASEAN countries.

Vietnam highly appreciates RoK’s position on the East Sea issue, proposing that RoK continues to support Vietnam and ASEAN's position in maintaining peace and stability, resolving disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means in line with international law, fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reaching the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Regarding the relationship between the two legislative bodies, the Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman said that in the last term, the two sides maintained the exchange of delegations at all levels in implementing the Cooperation Agreement between the two National Assemblies signed in July 2013. The Vietnamese National Assembly always wants and is willing to work closely with the RoK National Assembly to support and promote the development of the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries; through parliamentary diplomatic channels, contributing to strengthening political trust, people-to-people exchange, expanding and improving cooperation effectiveness in various fields.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan also agreed with National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee Sang’s opinion that the two sides will continue to maintain regular exchange of delegations to share experiences on National Assembly activities, coordinate to supervise the implementation of signed cooperation agreements between the two governments, listening to the opinions of the business community and citizens of the two countries to create a favorable legal environment for cooperation, exchange and citizen protection.

The two sides will continue to promote the role of the Parliamentary Friendship Group to promote exchange, information sharing, and expansion of new forms of cooperation with practical effectiveness in addition to strengthening cooperation activities between National Assemblies’ agencies to improve capacity, develop human resources, exchange information, share experiences in advisory activities.

The two sides will strengthen coordination and support each other on inter-parliamentary forums, actively contributing to the preservation of peace, stability, cooperation and development environment of the region and the world.

While visiting and working in Korea, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and the Vietnamese National Assembly delegation called at Busan city, the second largest economic, cultural, educational city and the largest port city of RoK. The National Assembly Chairwoman met with Honorary Consul General of Vietnam in RoK’s Busan-Gyeongnam region, the Mayor of Busan, and representatives of 10 Korean-Vietnamese families.

The National Assembly Chairwoman was awarded an honorary doctorate in Political Science by Pukyong National University; and talked to Vietnamese students at the university.

On this occasion, the National Assembly Chairwoman received a representative from the Ly family in Korea, awarded the Friendship Medal to Professor Ahn Kyong Hwan, Chairman of the Vietnam Research Association in Korea; witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy of RoK to leverage bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2020.

Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and RoK National Assembly Speaker Moo Hee Sang attended the Vietnam-RoK Investment and Trade Forum which attracted 350 delegates and businessmen from the two countries.

At the forum, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and National Assembly Speaker Moo Hee Sang witnessed the opening of the air route connecting Phu Quoc island of Vietnam with Seoul of the RoK operated by VietJet Air.