Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong (R) shakes hands with South Korea’s Busan City Mayor Park Heong Joon during their meeting in Busan, November 1, 2025. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Mayor Park made the commitment during his talks with Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong on Saturday, when Cuong was visiting Busan as part of his official trip to South Korea for the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week and bilateral meetings from October 29 to November 1.

President Cuong congratulated Busan on its achievements as South Korea’s second-largest economic hub and the world’s fifth-largest port city.

He encouraged the city to further expand cooperation with Vietnamese provinces and cities, particularly by leveraging Busan’s strengths in seaport operations and shipbuilding.

Mayor Park affirmed Busan’s commitment to working closely with Ho Chi Minh City and other Vietnamese localities to enhance practical cooperation, especially in seaports, shipbuilding, skilled workforce training, and tourism.

He said that such collaboration would further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership established between the two countries in 2022.

Park also noted the flourishing cooperation between the two countries, including the announcement of the establishment of Vietnam’s Consulate General in Busan during Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s visit in August 2025.

He pledged that Busan will continue to assist the operation of the Consulate General and ensure the rights and interests of the city’s 14,000 Vietnamese residents, facilitating their integration and contribution to Busan’s development.

President Cuong expressed gratitude for Busan’s support for both the Vietnamese Consulate General and the Vietnamese community living in the city.

He also expressed hope that the city authorities would continue to care for and support the community, thereby enhancing their role as a bridge of friendship between the two countries.