Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Baek Kyung-hoon discussed ways to expand cooperation between the two countries in science and technology, industry and other areas with the Vietnamese government during President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to Vietnam.

Baek met on April 22 with Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister for science and technology Ho Quoc Dung (호 꾸억 중). Ho oversees the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions. The two sides agreed in the meeting that cooperation in key technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors should be further strengthened based on solid diplomatic and economic trust.

Baek proposed that the two countries jointly support the Korea-Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST), established through bilateral cooperation, so it can develop into a global innovation hub that nurtures science and technology talent and leads industrial innovation. He also stressed that Vietnam's young talent has strong potential to grow into the next generation of key technology specialists in areas such as AI and software, and urged expanding cooperation on talent development.

Baek asked for Ho's continued attention and support and said, "I hope science and technology between our two countries will become the key driving force for advancing toward a future-oriented relationship."