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President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on July 29, discussing measures to eradicate serious industrial accidents. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung said on August 7 that South Korea and Vietnam will work together to achieve their shared goal of raising bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030.

In a written interview with Vietnam News Agency (VNA) ahead of Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s state visit to Korea from August 10 to 13, Lee stressed the need to “upgrade Korea–Vietnam economic cooperation by expanding into future industries such as artificial intelligence, advanced technology, services, and content.”

Lee said the two nations will move beyond trade- and investment-focused ties to cooperate in national infrastructure, science and technology, and talent development. “Korea will be a trustworthy partner for Vietnam as we leap forward together,” he said, noting that nuclear power, high-speed rail, and advanced industries will play pivotal roles.

Highlighting people-to-people exchanges, Lee quipped, “Have you ever heard of ‘Gyeonggi Province’s Da Nang’?” referring to the popularity of Da Nang among Korean travelers. He also noted that around 100,000 multicultural families link the two countries by marriage, calling them “in-laws by nation.”

Lee praised former Vietnam national football team coach Park Hang-seo and current coach Kim Sang-sik as “models of civilian exchange,” and emphasized Vietnam’s importance in fostering peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

He expressed hope that the two countries will share experiences and actively cooperate in multilateral forums, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).