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Analysis South Korea’s Vietnam strategy risks backlash without stronger accountabilityLee-To meeting reaffirms bilateral goals, but reputational risks and weak compliance cast doubt on follow through South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam adopted a joint statement in Seoul on Monday, pledging to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership. But the summit’s real value rests on whether both governments can convert the meeting’s symbolism to manage potential friction in the relationship. Both governments continue to frame ties as a development success story built on shared interests and deepening economic integration. For instance, Vietnam is South Korea’s third-largest trading partner and largest overseas manufacturing base, with nearly 10,000 Korean firms operating in the country. Bilateral trade reached over $80 billionin 2021, © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. |





