Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng on Thursday presented a licence for the reopening of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) bureau in Việt Nam to Yang Sungmo, head of KBS’s bureau in Việt Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng on Thursday presented a licence for the reopening of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) bureau in Việt Nam, describing the move as an important milestone in media cooperation between the two countries.

Hằng said the bureau reopening will contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and promoting the Việt Nam–RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

She noted that KBS is now the fifth Korean media outlet to have a bureau in Việt Nam and the 31st foreign media organisation operating in the country.

The return of KBS, she said, will further diversify the network of international press agencies in Việt Nam and provide an additional channel for Korean and international audiences to gain a better understanding of Việt Nam, its people and development.

Regarding the Việt Nam–RoK relations, Hằng said that nearly 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have been developing strongly, with substantive results across areas. The RoK is now the largest foreign investor in Việt Nam, the second-largest partner in ODA and tourism, and the third-largest in trade and labour of the Southeast Asian nation.

Looking ahead, the Deputy Minister expressed her hope that the two countries will become increasingly important partners of each other and develop more “lighthouse projects” that symbolise bilateral cooperation.

As Vietnam enters a new stage of development, the official called on KBS and other Korean media outlets to continue accompanying Việt Nam by providing timely, objective and in-depth coverage of the country’s development, renewal and international integration.

She affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with relevant agencies, will create favourable conditions for KBS to operate effectively in Việt Nam.

At the event, Korean Ambassador to Việt Nam Lee Miyon said Korean media agencies' growing interest in establishing bureaus in Việt Nam is highly significant. She thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Minister Hằng for their active support for such activities.

Ahead of the 35th founding anniversary of Việt Nam–RoK diplomatic relations in 2027, the embassy will organise various activities to help strengthen bilateral ties, the diplomat said, asking media organisations of both countries to pay attention to and cover these events.

Yang Sungmo, head of KBS’s bureau in Việt Nam, thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies for creating favourable conditions for KBS to resume operations in the country.

He said the establishment of the KBS bureau in Việt Nam followed the high-level meeting between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Tô Lâm and President of the RoK Lee Jae Myung in April, marking an important step in bilateral media cooperation.

Yang added he is ready and committed to filling his “reporting notebook” with multidimensional stories about Việt Nam's impressive development journey for Korean audiences, helping further deepen the friendship between the two countries. — VNA/VNS