Party leader’s RoK visit garners extensive international media coverage
On August 11, major RoK outlets, including Yonhap News Agency, KBS, The Korea Herald, and The Korea Times, provided prominent coverage of the talks held the same day between General Secretary Lam and President Lee Jae Myung, during which both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in economy, security, technology, and culture.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam (left) and President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Jae Myung in Seoul on August 11 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)⛦ – The state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation from August 10–13 has attracted significant attention from international media.
On August 11, major RoK outlets, including Yonhap News Agency, KBS, The Korea Herald, and The Korea Times, provided prominent coverage of the talks held the same day between General Secretary Lam and President Lee Jae Myung, during which both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in economy, security, technology, and culture.
Korean media cited President Lee’s opening remarks, noting General Secretary Lam was the first foreign guest received by the new RoK administration, and that the RoK regards Vietnam as a key partner in implementing its regional foreign policy. President Lee stressed that General Secretary Lam’s first visit to the RoK in his capacity as the country’s top leader holds special significance, creating as a strong impetus to enhance mutual understanding, consolidate political trust, and further deepen the RoK–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the years ahead.
The two leaders adopted a joint statement on deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership based on common perceptions, committing to elevating bilateral cooperation to new heights.
KBS highlighted that the statement underscored the expansion of collaboration in future-oriented areas such as science and technology, energy, and supply chains, while strengthening coordination on international issues.
Reporting on the visit, Reuters (UK) and devdiscourse.com (India) assessed that the August 11 meeting reflected the two countries’ efforts to boost economic and strategic cooperation. The Vietnamese leader’s trip is expected to pave the way for Korean businesses to invest in key infrastructure projects in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, ainvest.com (US) said the RoK–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has emerged as a beacon of economic resilience. It described the talks as a pivotal moment in bilateral ties, reflecting the two nations’ commitment to strategic investment in infrastructure and energy.
It affirmed that the partnership is a forward-looking strategy aimed at building a resilient, sustainable economic corridor. By focusing on infrastructure and energy, the two countries are reating a model for tariff-resilient growth that appeals to global investors./.
Party General Secretary Lam called on the RoK to help enhance the capacity of Vietnamese firms to integrate more deeply into the global supply chains of Korean companies, and to encourage Korean businesses to expand investment in Vietnam, particularly in infrastructure development, high-tech electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and smart cities.
The leaders noted that the two sides had agreed to turn scientific and technological cooperation into a pillar and a new highlight of bilateral relations.
The signed documents include a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on scientific and technological cooperation, an MoU on copyright and related rights cooperation, and another on strengthening collaboration in renewable energy.
The Singaporean government needs to enable people, workers and businesses to make full use of these tools, and enhance their competitive advantage. It “will walk this journey” with Singaporeans as it has done for the past six decades, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm both ASEAN member states' and partners’ commitment to strengthening cooperation and narrowing development gaps.
Thailand emits roughly 350 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, with the energy and industrial sectors accounting for more than 75% of this amount. Though this volume represents just 1% of global emissions, the Thai Government is eager to achieve carbon neutrality, a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and absorption, by 2050.
The Malaysian government is undertaking a structured assessment to examine the role of nuclear power as a potential option for clean, stable, and competitive electricity within Malaysia’s future energy mix.
It aims to identify and honour digital technology initiatives, products, and solutions with practical applications; promote creativity in technology development; anticipate trends and development potential in digital technology; and recognise the role of digital technology in economic growth and enhancing quality of life for citizens in ASEAN countries.
Addressing the ceremony, Indonesian Ambassador Simon D.I. Soekamo, the rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Cuba, highlighted the bloc's spirit of friendship and solidarity, and reaffirmed ASEAN's core values of peace, stability, and prosperity through cooperation and dialogue.
Vietnam’s pavilion notably displayed traditional crafts from the centuries-old lacquerware village of Ha Thai and Chu Dau ceramics. The atmosphere was further enriched by delegations wearing their countries’ traditional costumes, including the elegant ao dai and the graceful ao tu than of Vietnamese women.
The handover ceremony was held at the Malaysian Embassy headquarters in Mexico City on August 8, with the presence of heads of diplomatic missions from ASEAN member states in Mexico.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
