Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences - Prof. Dr. Dang Nguyen Anh welcomed the National Unification Advisory Council of Korea.

Attending the meeting included, in the NUAC side, there were appearances of Mr. Kim Deog Ryong, Vice President; Mr. Kim Jung-In, Chief Representative of NUAC in Southeast Asia region; Mr. Lee Soon Hyuk, Vice President of NUAC; Mr. Park Nam Jong, Vice President of NUAC; Mr. Jong Jae Jin, Secretary of Mr. Kim Deog Ryong. In the Vietnam side, there were Prof.Dr. Dang Nguyen Anh, Vice President; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ha, Head of International Cooperation Department; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Pham Hong Thai, Director of Institute for Northeast Asia Studies; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Cu Chi Loi, Chief of Institute of Chinese Studies; Dr. Le Kim Sa, Deputy Director of the Centre for Analysis and Forecast; Ms. Nguyen Thi Tham, interpreter, Institute for Northeast Asia Studies.

At the meeting, Prof.Dr. Dang Nguyen Anh expressed his pleasure to welcome the delegation of the National Unification Advisory Council of Korea to visit and work at the Academy. Professor Vice President said VASS is particularly concerned about the issue at the Korean peninsula, shown by regular research, workshops, and seminars. Since 2010, VASS has had regular scientific exchanges with the North Korean Social Science Association, in particular by VASS's visit to the North Korean Social Science Association in 2010 and two Korean delegation's visits to VASS in 2011 and 2012. Since then, the two sides have alternately organized seminars. The Vice President of VASS emphasized that the visit of the NUAC delegation is right at the historical time when the DPRK–USA Summit is being held in Hanoi. Therefore, the joint statement on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is highly anticipated; after this summit, there will be many issues to be discussed not only on defense and security but also on economic development… Thereby, Prof.Dr. Dang Nguyen Anh affirmed that VASS is willing to organize seminars with the participation of South Korean and North Korean scholars with the common purpose of peace, stability in the region in particular and worldwide in general.

In response to VASS's Vice President, Vice President Kim Deog Ryong thanked the warm welcome of the Academy Leader giving to the delegation. Vice President Kim stressed that Vietnam is always an important partner. Nowadays, there are more than 8,000 small and large enterprises with many Koreans living and working in Vietnam. Vietnam is the third largest economic partner; not only economically but also has an important meaning in the region, as an external partner in the "new Southern policy" of Korea. Mr. Kim Deog Ryong said that Vietnam had a similar historical situation with South Korea when it was also divided between South and North. However, Vietnam was united; Especially, after Doi Moi, Vietnam has made strong innovation. Therefore, the policies before and after the reunification of Vietnam were very interested in Korea. It can be said that Vietnam's economic reform policies are lessons and models for South Korea and North Korea to learn.  Mr. Kim wished to receive the unified and post-unified experience of Vietnam; and hoped that Vietnam would play a bridge role for future connections between South Korea and North Korea.

Before UNAC's wishes, Prof. Dr. Dang Nguyen Anh said that both the VASS and the UNAC must take the initiative in making exchanges and policies before the two South-North Koreans unified. According to the unified experience of Vietnam, the Vice President judged that economic and political unity is essential but not as important as the unity of people and society. He also suggested bringing this topic to the upcoming seminars. The separation between families and people between the two regions for decades should be studied deeply. Prof. Dr. Dang Nguyen Anh emphasized that only if each individual, each family has agreed and unified can they develop the economy.

Hong Nhung