Lee calls football a ‘bridge connecting people and nations,’ stresses peace message at state banquet in Vietnam

Korean President Lee Jae Myung, center right, and Vietnamese President To Lam, center left, pose for a commemorative photo with their spouses and the former and current coaches of the Vietnamese national football team at a state welcoming banquet in Hanoi on April 22. From left: Kim Sang-sik, current head coach of the Vietnamese national football team, Korea’s first lady Kim Hea Kyung, Lam, Lee, Vietnam's first lady Ngo Phuong Ly and Park Hang-seo, former head coach of the Vietnamese team. [BLUE HOUSE]

HANOI — Korean President Lee Jae Myung underscored that "peace is the most important foundation supporting our prosperity and future" at a state dinner banquet held by Vietnamese President To Lam on Wednesday.  
 
"Today, we keenly feel the preciousness of peace not only on the Korean Peninsula and in Asia but across the entire international community," Lee said in his address at the dinner event in Hanoi, reflecting the global uncertainties resulting from escalating Middle East tensions stemming from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
 
The two leaders, following their bilateral summit earlier in the day, were joined by their spouses, Korea's first lady Kim Hea Kyung, and her Vietnamese counterpart, Ngo Phuong Ly.
 

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"As key global partners, our two countries will further deepen cooperation in fields that Vietnam has identified as core pillars of future growth, such as science and technology, innovation and digital transformation," Lee said.  
 
He added that Korea and Vietnam will also pursue comprehensive cooperation encompassing talent development and technological collaboration across strategic industries, including automobiles and semiconductors, as well as core infrastructure sectors such as nuclear power, railways and urban development.
 
The event was attended by Korean business leaders including Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, Posco Holdings Chairman Chang In-hwa, HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun, GS Group Chairman Huh Tae-soo, CJ Group Chairman Lee Jay-hyun, Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Hyun-joon and Daewoo Engineering and Construction Chairman Jung Won-ju.  
 

Korean President Lee Jae Myung, left, toasts Vietnamese President To Lam, right, at a state dinner banquet in Hanoi following their summit on April 22. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

"Having achieved development by overcoming the pain of war, our two nations understand the value of peace better than anyone and share a deep understanding of the importance of dialogue and compromise," President Lee said, adding that he looks forward to Korea and Vietnam "joining hands to open a future of peace and prosperity together."  
 
"Just like Korean doenjang, the flavor of Vietnam's Tuong Ban, or fermented soybean paste, deepens as it ages," Lam, general secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party, said, calling it "akin to the friendship between our two countries, which becomes more solid as time passes."
 
"Cultural similarities, political trust, and mutually complementary economic development will serve as a solid foundation for Vietnam and Korea to cooperate and sustain their partnership toward a future of peace, stability, development and prosperity," Lam said. "I am confident that upon this solid foundation, the Vietnam-Korea comprehensive strategic partnership will develop into something stronger, more substantial, and deeper, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development for the people of both countries, as well as for the region and the world."
 
Lam proposed a toast at the end of his speech and said "Thank you" in Korean, earning laughter from the crowd.
 

From right, Lee Eog-weon, chairman of the Financial Services Commission, speaks as SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin and Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong listen at a state dinner banquet in Hanoi welcoming President Lee Jae Myung to Vietnam on April 22. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Other notable banquet guests included Kim Sang-sik, head coach of Vietnam's national football team, and Park Hang-seo, former head coach of the team.  
 
The two presidents and their spouses later took a photo with the Korean coaches.
 
President Lee later shared the photo on his Instagram account and wrote, "Former Vietnamese national football team head coach Park Hang-seo, known as 'Vietnam's Hiddink,' is often regarded as a legend by the Vietnamese people. I also cheer for coach Kim Sang-sik, who has taken over the baton to embark on a new challenge, and hope he achieves great results."
 
Park previously served as assistant under Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, Korea’s former national football coach who guided the Taegeuk Warriors to the semifinals in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. 
 
President Lee noted that he was "reminded once again that football is more than just a sport; it is a bridge connecting people and nations," and thanked the Korean football coaches "for solidifying the friendship between Korea and Vietnam on the field."
 
First lady Kim wore a hanbok (traditional Korean dress) with a red top paired with a yellow skirt, matching with President' Lee's red-and-yellow striped necktie, in a nod to the Vietnamese flag. Lam wore a blue tie, matching with his wife's blue ao dai (Vietnamese national dress), a color associated with Lee's liberal Democratic Party.  
 
 

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