President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 5 held his first summit with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Office of the President in Seoul, deciding to upgrade bilateral relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership."

At a joint news conference in the afternoon after their talks, both leaders announced their adoption of a joint statement on the partnership.

"We want to usher in a new era of bilateral ties through a comprehensive strategic partnership between Korea and Vietnam," President Yoon said. "We will consider measures to improve the effectiveness of existing strategic dialogue on diplomacy and national security and further develop it."

He added that his administration will actively support raising Vietnam's capacity to enforce maritime law to contribute to regional maritime security and expanding bilateral cooperation in the defense industry.

Saying documents on cooperation were signed in the presence of both leaders after their summit, President Yoon said, "Through this, we expect to expand prospects for bilateral cooperation by covering key economic and national security issues."

On the stability of supply chains, he said, "We agreed to mutually recognize the huge potential for bilateral cooperation in the development of rare earth minerals abundant in Vietnam and decided to seek concrete measures to that end."

"Along with building a mutually reciprocal supply chain, we will boost bilateral cooperation in areas such as finance, information and communications, advanced technology, construction of infrastructure and energy," he added. "We will expand tailored developmental cooperation with Vietnam in cutting-edge science and technology, health and infrastructure."

In a separate announcement, President Phuc said both sides agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, adding, "There is still plenty of room to greatly enhance trust-based bilateral cooperation."

"We agreed to diversify exchanges, contact and visits at all levels including high-ranking officials and immediately share information and opinions on bilateral ties and regional situations under a flexible method."

This summit marked the 30th anniversary of bilateral ties. Beginning with a small-scale chat, the two presidents held their talks and news conference and attended a state dinner at Yeongbingwan, the state guesthouse at the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae.

Korea.net