Yoon tells Korean business leaders ‘new opportunity’ is opening up in Vietnam

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Yoon tells Korean business leaders ‘new opportunity’ is opening up in Vietnam

Published: 23 Jun. 2023, 00:23 Updated: 23 Jun. 2023, 09:37

President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, first lady Kim Keon-hee, left, and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, right, and other business leaders salute the Korean flag at a dinner banquet with the presidential business delegation at a hotel in Hanoi on Thursday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

HANOI — President Yoon Suk Yeol said a solution to overcoming global crises can be found through economic cooperation with Vietnam at a dinner banquet with his business delegation in Hanoi during a state visit to Vietnam Thursday.

"The business environment is difficult due to global economic slowdown, supply chain disruptions and energy and climate crises," Yoon said. "I believe the solution to overcoming such crises can be found here in Vietnam, a center of global supply chain restructuring and an emerging consumer market."

Yoon told his 205-member business delegation to Vietnam, his largest ever, "I want you to take on the challenge."

Attendees included leaders of Korea's top conglomerates, such as Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan.

Other government officials at the banquet included Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho, Foreign Minister Park Jin and Trade Minister Lee Chang-yang.

"Vietnam is accelerating the creation of an innovation ecosystem to become an advanced country by 2045," Yoon said. "New opportunities are opening up for Korea, which has a stronger connection with Vietnam than any other country."

Yoon arrived in Hanoi earlier in the day as a part of a six-day overseas trip that took him to Paris earlier in the week.

"Thank you for joining the business delegation to Vietnam," Yoon told the leaders. "Seeing all of you traveling around the world and working hard for Korea's exports, I realize once again that the dynamism of our economy comes from our companies."

He told the businesspeople, "Your achievements will become a new engine for our economy."

On Friday, Yoon is scheduled to hold a bilateral summit with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong.

He is also scheduled to attend a Korea-Vietnam business forum and other events promoting economic cooperation with Korea's third-largest trading partner.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and other leaders of Korea’s top conglomerates applaud after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s address at a dinner banquet with the business delegation at a hotel in Hanoi on Thursday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, right, greets Kim Byong-joon, acting chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, at a dinner banquet with the presidential business delegation to Vietnam at a hotel in Hanoi on Thursday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

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