Vice defense chief calls for Vietnam's active support for Korea peace efforts

SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Vice Defense Minister Suh Choo-suk called on Monday for Vietnam's support for ongoing efforts to denuclearize North Korea and entrench peace on the divided peninsula, Seoul's defense ministry said.

During the two countries' annual defense policy dialogue in Ho Chi Minh City, Suh and his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Chi Vinh, discussed security on the peninsula and in the region and arms industry cooperation.

"Suh urged Vietnam's active support and cooperation in the process of making progress in the efforts for complete denuclearization and the establishment of peace," the ministry said in a press release.

It added that Vinh welcomed the positive developments unfolding in Korea and voiced his backing for Seoul's peace drive.

The two sides also agreed to make continued efforts to strengthen defense cooperation through exchanges of high-level officials and military education.

In particular, they agreed to install a separate working-level consultative body to enforce their agreements on defense cooperation.

Later this week, Suh plans to visit Indonesia for talks over security on the peninsula and in East Asia, as well as arms industry cooperation.

His trip to the two countries is part of Seoul's "New Southern Policy" designed to cement ties largely with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which is a crucial partner for South Korea due to its growth potential, rich resources and growing diplomatic influence.

sshluck@yna.co.kr
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