Yoon quotes Ho Chi Minh, calls to ‘cultivate the people’ at state dinner

President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed the importance of people-to-people ties in opening up a new future for Korea and Vietnam at a state dinner in Hanoi following his bilateral summit with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong Friday.

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, center left, accompanied by first lady Kim Keon-hee, and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, center right, with first lady Phan Thi Thanh Tam, pose for a commemorative photo with performers at the state dinner at a convention center in Hanoi Friday evening. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

HANOI – President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed the importance of people-to-people ties in opening up a new future for Korea and Vietnam at a state dinner in Hanoi following his bilateral summit with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong Friday.

"We agreed that the future of both countries will be brighter when freedom, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region are guaranteed," Yoon said at the banquet at a convention center in Hanoi, reflecting on their earlier bilateral talks.

Quoting Ho Chi Minh, the late Vietnamese revolutionary leader, Yoon said, "To reap a return in ten years, plant trees. To reap a return in 100, cultivate the people."

Yoon said this means to "nurture talents and invest in people for a 100 years of prosperity."

He continued, "In the same way, in relations between nations, it is the people of the two countries that connect them closely and open up a new future."

Some 50 Koreans attended the dinner, including ministers, presidential staff and 24 business leaders. Attendees from Yoon's business delegation during his three-day state visit included SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin.

"At a time when the international situation is complex and constantly changing, strengthening bilateral relations is in keeping with the wishes and interests of the people of both countries and will make a substantial contribution to peace, security and prosperity in the world and in the region," Thuong said.

The two leaders held bilateral summit talks, signed agreements and held a joint press briefing at the presidential palace earlier in the day.

"Your visit comes at a time when the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Korea is developing at its best," Thuong said to Yoon. "The fact that you chose Vietnam as the first Southeast Asian country for a bilateral visit shows that you and the Korean government attach great importance to the relationship with Vietnam."

He highlighted that Vietnam and Korea "share geographical proximity, many historical and cultural commonalities and strategic interests," noting that the two countries are "becoming important partners who support each other for mutual growth."

Thuong said Vietnam "has consistently valued" its relationship with Korea and supports Seoul's "active contribution to world and regional peace, stability and development by playing a larger international role."

He added that Vietnam is ready to work together with Korea to support each other on international and regional issues of common interest for a "more practical, effective and comprehensive development of the comprehensive strategic partnership."

Vietnam is "ready to cooperate closely with Korea" on its key diplomatic policies for regional outreach, including the Indo-Pacific strategy, the global pivotal state strategy, and the Korea-Asean Solidarity Initiative, Thuong said.

Thuong said that upgrading the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year has "opened the way for a farther vision and a higher goal."

He called Yoon's visit "a very important first step in the journey for Vietnam and Korea to accompany each other as good friends and good partners."

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, far left, congratulates Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, far right, on his birthday at the state dinner at a convention center in Hanoi Friday evening during a three-day visit to Vietnam. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Yoon also reflected on the results of his bilateral talks with Thuong.

"In addition to existing economic cooperation, the two sides agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in the fields of diplomacy and security and expand the basis of cooperation to new fields such as critical mineral supply chains, new and renewable energy and innovative science and technology," Yoon said.

He added that the "protagonists of the future should be youths from both countries who travel between Seoul and Hanoi, Busan and Ho Chi Minh."

Yoon referred to efforts by his own father, Yoon Ki-joong, professor emeritus of Yonsei University, to promote people-to-people exchanges between Korea and Vietnam in the 1990s.

"With the precious efforts of people from all walks of life in both countries, including my father, friendship and partnership between the two countries have developed to a level that can serve as an example in East Asia," he said.

He called on the need to "make constant efforts to develop bilateral relations to a higher level."

Yoon toasted to "our future generations who will protect the friendship between Korea and Vietnam."

The two leaders were joined by their first ladies, Kim Keon-hee and Phan Thi Thanh Tam.

Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee, left, and Vietnamese first lady Phan Thi Thanh Tam, both dressed in ao dai, traditional Vietnamese dress, pose for a photo during a tea meeting at a restaurant in Hanoi Friday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The Korean and Vietnamese first ladies met separately earlier that day to promote friendly ties and discuss cultural exchanges over traditional tea and snacks at a restaurant in Hanoi, according to the presidential office.

During the fellowship event, Kim wore a green ao dai, the Vietnamese national garment, a gift from Tam, who wore a red version.

Kim said the attire was a "symbol of the strong friendship between Korea and Vietnam," said Lee Do-woon, the presidential spokesperson, calling the dress "beautiful in harmony with the traditional beauty of Vietnam and modern practicality."

She also invited Tam to wear hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, next time if she visits Seoul.

Earlier Friday, Yoon also held a series of meetings with Vietnamese leaders, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Vuong Dinh Hue, chairman of the National Assembly.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]