By Xu Aiying and Lee Jihae

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha on Sept. 17 in Hanoi paid a courtesy call on Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during her two-day visit to Vietnam, discussing a bilateral response to COVID-19 and cooperation to boost personnel exchanges.

The diplomat spoke with the prime minister for about an hour in the afternoon at his official residence, saying, "Despite difficulties experienced in the initial stages of COVID-19, the two countries have produced many significant results through deep trust and active communication at every level."

Since the onset of the pandemic, the largest group of foreign visitors to Vietnam has been the estimated 9,000 Korean businesspeople, students and their families, she said, adding, "It shows that the strategic cooperative partnership of the two nations transcends a symbolic aspect and practically holds a very significant meaning."

"But many small and medium companies are still struggling with business because the long quarantine period prevents them from entering Vietnam," she said, stressing the need to swiftly adopt a special entry process.

Prime Minister Phuc agreed, saying, "A domestic review is underway to arrange a more favorable entry process for necessary personnel such as Korean businesspeople, who are among Vietnam's most crucial partners in economic cooperation."

The meeting also discussed a more balanced trade relationship, the faster conclusion of a social security agreement and the difficulties Korean manufacturers of medical devices face due to regulations on bidding with Vietnamese public health institutions.

Prime Minister Phuc thanked Seoul for protecting Vietnamese nationals in Korea, especially the Korean government's active support to prevent COVID-19.

Minister Kang responded by saying Korea will continue pan-government efforts to allow the estimated 60,000 Korean-Vietnamese families in and 200,000 Vietnamese residents of Korea to lead "safe and happy" lives.

xuaiy@korea.kr