Ministry of Public Security strengthens maritime security cooperations with Korean Coast Guard

Minister of Public Security General Lương Tam Quang (right) and Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard (KCG) Kim Jong-Uk. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam and the Republic of Korea agreed to actively implement cooperative security activities on the seas.

The details were outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023, with a focus on exchanging delegations at various levels and sharing information and experiences in combating transnational crime.

This agreement was reached during talks held on Monday in Hà Nội between Lương Tam Quang, Member of the Politburo and Minister of Public Security (MoPS) and Kim Jong-Uk, Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard (KCG).

Welcoming Commissioner Kim and the KCG delegation to the MoPS, Quang emphasised that this meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss and firm up cooperation directions between the two agencies.

He expressed his pleasure at the strong development of Việt Nam-RoK relations, noting that the bilateral relationship has flourished since the establishment of diplomatic ties on December 22, 1992. This cooperation has continued to expand comprehensively in all areas following the upgrade of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December 2022.

Building on the positive cooperation between the two countries, security and police cooperation has become a key pillar of their bilateral relations.

Quang noted that by regularly maintaining important cooperation mechanisms, the partnership between the MoPS of Việt Nam and the KCG has been further strengthened, leading to substantive and effective collaboration.

He also appreciated the KCG’s support in providing coastal patrol vessels to the MoPS, as well as their assistance in training and instructing underwater special forces and sharing expertise in operating and managing jet skis, high-speed boats and large coastal patrol vessels.

Quang expressed confidence that these vessels will be effectively used, enhancing the combat capabilities of the waterway police in their duties, particularly in patrolling, controlling and handling administrative violations, as well as in combating crime on inland waterways, conducting search and rescue operations and responding to natural disasters.

The MoPS is committed to building a regular, elite and modern waterway police force with the capability to meet mission requirements, including cooperation with international partners, especially the KCG, he noted.

Quang also requested that RoK provide further training and instruction for Việt Nam’s special forces and sailors, as well as in managing, operating and maintaining patrol vessels and underwater combat techniques, counter-terrorism and search and rescue operations at sea.

In response, Kim affirmed that RoK would work to complete the key areas of cooperation between the two sides and proposed that the RoK government provide technical support and maintenance for the patrol vessels already delivered to the MoPS.

On the same day in Hà Nội, General Lương Tam Quang, Member of the Politburo and Minister of Public Security, presided over the ceremony to award the ‘For the Security of the Fatherland’ medal to Kim Jong-Uk, Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard. — VNS