On Wednesday, July 3rd, SNUAC hosted a lecture by Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính. This lecture was made possible when Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, who was on an official visit to South Korea at the invitation of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, accepted SNUAC’s request to speak. On the day of the lecture, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính was accompanied by a delegation of over 30 people, including 10 ministers and high-ranking officials from central ministries. This event underscored the importance of high-level educational cooperation between the two countries.

Before the lecture, the Prime Minister held a meeting in the reception room. Attending from Seoul National University were President Hong Lim Ryu, Dean of the College of Social Sciences Professor Dae-il Kim, Director of the SNUAC Professor Suhong Chae, Head of the Office of International Affairs Professor Jae-wook Lee, and Deputy Head Professor Sun-young Kim. From Vietnam, attendees included Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn, Chief of the Government Office Trần Văn Sơn, and Rector of Hanoi National University Lê Quân. After the meeting, the Prime Minister moved to the lecture hall where about 130 Seoul National University professors, researchers, and Vietnamese students were waiting.

The lecture, moderated by Professor Suhong Chae, began with welcoming remarks from Seoul National University President Hong Lim Ryu. President Ryu introduced Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s career and achievements, emphasized the inclusion of educational cooperation with Vietnam in the university’s long-term development plans, and declared the university’s commitment to nurturing talent in advanced industries for Vietnam’s future.

In his lecture, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính praised South Korea’s educational philosophy and the achievements of Seoul National University, noting the similarities between the educational philosophies of the two countries. He referenced President Hồ Chí Minh’s saying, “Plant trees for ten years’ benefits, invest in people for a hundred years’ benefits,” to illustrate Vietnam’s commitment to education. He emphasized that this educational philosophy has enabled Seoul National University to produce leaders across various fields, driving Korea’s development.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the rapid changes in the global landscape make investment in education even more crucial. He identified three main factors of recent global changes: the explosive development of science and technology, climate change and aging populations, and intensified geopolitical and geo-economic competition. As responses to these challenges, he suggested the development of digital, green, and circular economies, innovation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the cultivation of top talent and AI capabilities.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính pointed out that South Korea is one of the countries that has successfully adapted to these challenging changes, and he expressed Vietnam’s desire to learn from and cooperate with South Korea to achieve similar success. He noted that the rapidly changing global situation necessitates the diversification of markets, products, production networks, and supply chains. Despite the challenges, he recognized South Korea as a successful nation and expressed his belief that increased collaboration with South Korea would lead to greater achievements for Vietnam.

He highlighted the deep and broad ties between South Korea and Vietnam, tracing their origins to the 12th century when Lý Long Tường settled in Goryeo. He noted that in modern times, the two countries have continued to expand their common ground through shared customs, religion, traditions, culture, history, personal exchanges due to mutual visits and marriages, aspirations for national development through integration and openness, and contributions to regional and global peace. He emphasized that this expanding common ground has culminated in a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính outlined five major tasks to expand the mutually beneficial outcomes based on this comprehensive strategic partnership: enhancing political trust through high-level exchanges and strategic communication, deepening economic cooperation through trade, investment, and advanced industry development, promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges, strengthening educational and scientific cooperation through the training of skilled personnel and technology transfer, and bolstering bilateral and multilateral cooperation on regional and international issues. He projected that tackling these shared tasks would further develop the relationship between South Korea and Vietnam.

He concluded by expressing his support for the dreams and passions of the young generations of both countries, recognizing them as key players in addressing these shared tasks. He praised the proactive attitude of Vietnamese students at Seoul National University and emphasized the importance of future collaborations and partnerships between Seoul National University and Vietnamese National Universities in fostering the next generation of leaders.

Wrapping up the lecture, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính expressed confidence that the friendly and cooperative relationship between South Korea and Vietnam, which has achieved remarkable successes so far, will continue to grow. He stated that Vietnam is ready to work more closely with South Korea to create outcomes that contribute to the happiness of both nations’ people, regional and global peace, and cooperation and development.

After the lecture, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính engaged in a Q&A session with the audience and took commemorative photos. Notably, he showed his warmth by shaking hands with each of the approximately 30 Vietnamese students from Seoul National University who attended the lecture.