President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee on Dec. 6 held talks with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who was on a state visit to Korea, at Sangchunjae, the reception hall of the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lee Jae-myoung in a written briefing that day said the president and his wife visited Sangchunjae for a 30-minute friendly chat with President Phuc.

The two leaders met for two consecutive days including the day before at the Office of the President in Seoul. The day of their Cheong Wa Dae meetup was Tuesday, when the compound is closed to the public.

Stepping inside Sangchunjae, President Yoon explained that the building was erected 40 years ago and that its name means "a house of everlasting spring." "After I took office, I opened Cheong Wa Dae to the public so all the people can visit Sangchunjae," he added.

The first lady said wood from pine trees over 200 years old were used when first building Sangchunjae.

President Phuc looked around and said he could feel the tradition of Korean architecture.

At the meeting, President Phuc said, "I am deeply grateful to my Korean friends for helping Vietnam's development by believing in Vietnam's potential through much investment," adding, "With so much room for cooperation not just in economy but also other sectors like national defense, I'm certain that both countries will become the best partners in Asia."

In response, President Yoon said, "I'm so glad and grateful that President Phuc visited Korea to mark the 30th anniversary of bilateral ties between Korea and Vietnam," adding, "I believe that President Phuc's visit will be a good opportunity to make the past 30 years a steppingstone to take a major step forward in bilateral relations and develop them into a comprehensive strategic partnership."

First Lady Kim also asked for President Phuc's help in resolving visa issues for Koreans in Vietnam.

The Office of the President quoted her as saying, "I have recently read media reports saying many Korean visitors to or residents in Vietnam are struggling with visa problems," asking President Phuc to "examine the matter with interest."

President Phuc responded that he will do his best for the convenience of Koreans.

The Vietnamese leader also expressed regret that his wife Tran Thi Nguyet Thu could not accompany him on his visit.

The first lady responded by saying, "I'm sad that I couldn't meet the first lady this time, but I'll write a letter describing my hope to see her next year," adding, "Please make sure she gets the gifts we sent her."

President Yoon and the first lady gave as presents to the Vietnamese leader and his wife a small portable dining table and cosmetics.

The day before, President Yoon invited President Phuc to Yeongbingwan, the state guesthouse of Cheong Wa Dae, for a state banquet before holding their meeting at Sangchunjae the next day. Thus the former presidential compound hosted two straight events of a state visit.

Korea.net