Vietnamese Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong and his Republic of Korea (RoK) counterpart Hwang Kyo-ahn signed a cooperation agreement between the two ministries following their recent talks in Seoul.

The document lays a foundation for the two ministries to implement collaborative activities, increase mutual understanding and support each other in the field, aiming to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Minister Cuong is currently conducting a working visit to the RoK, the first of a Vietnamese Minister of Justice, to set up cooperative ties with the RoK Ministry of Justice as Vietnam-RoK relations are growing well in various fields from economics to tourism and investment.

During talks with Hwang Kyo-ahn, Minister Cuong shared information on judicial reform in Vietnam and the new points in the 2013 Constitution, as well as the revision of important laws such as the Penal Code, Civil Code, and the Code of Civil Procedure in line with the new Constitution.

The two ministers agreed to boost cooperation in judicial officer training, especially between the judicial academies of their Ministries.

They concurred to double their efforts to complete negotiations on an agreement on judicial support in civil and trade affairs, saying once the deal is signed it will create an important legal foundation to protect the legitimate rights and interests of individuals, organisations and businesses of the two countries.

Minister Cuong told his RoK counterpart that there are about 130,000 Vietnamese living and working in the RoK, including nearly 68,000 Vietnamese workers and 50,000 Vietnamese brides, and asked the RoK side to further support the overseas community in his country.

Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn pledged that RoK agencies will do their utmost to protect the human rights of Vietnamese nationals in the country.

The RoK Ministry of Justice will take measures to assist Vietnamese brides in particular with their residency, he said, adding that the RoK Government is seeking efficient measures to address the issue of Vietnamese workers.

During his visit, Minister Cuong worked with Head of the RoK judicial academy Lim Jung-hyuk who said his academy is willing to expand cooperation with the Vietnam Judicial Academy.

VNA