The Republic of Korea supports Vietnam’s efforts in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in line with European Commission (EC) recommendations, said South Korean Minister of Oceans and Fisheries , Kang Do-hyung.
Seoul (VNA) – The Republic of Korea supports Vietnam’s efforts in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in line with the recommendations of the European Commission (EC), said the South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs. Oceans and Fisheries, Kang Do-hyung.
In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency in Seoul, the South Korean minister described Vietnam as a major trade partner in seafood.
In 2023, Vietnam was the 3rd largest exporter of seafood to the Republic of Korea, worth around $800 million, with mainly shrimp, shrimp meat and octopus.
He added that Vietnam is also the 5th largest importer of seafood from the Republic of Korea, valued at around $240 million in 2023. The South Korean government plans to work with major South Korean companies like Lotte Mart in Ho Chi Minh City to launch trade promotion initiatives that will benefit both Vietnamese seafood producers and South Korean consumers, he said.
The South Korean minister also highlighted ongoing technical cooperation projects between the two countries. The National Institute of Fisheries Sciences of the Republic of Korea and the Aquaculture Research Institute of Vietnam are currently engaged in a project to improve aquaculture productivity in the northern Vietnamese provinces of Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh , said Minister Kang.
This project, with a budget of three billion won ($2.1 billion) and implemented from 2022 to 2026, aims to improve aquaculture through technology transfer. He reaffirmed the Republic of Korea’s commitment to establishing long-term partnerships with Vietnam to develop a sustainable aquaculture sector.
Presenting the Republic of Korea’s efforts and experiences in combating IUU fishing, he said the South Korean government advocates compliance with laws, information sharing, public awareness campaigns and refraining from violence in law enforcement efforts.
He expressed hope for joint work with Vietnam in this regard, saying the Republic of Korea would also collaborate to strengthen the capabilities of Asian countries like Vietnam to combat IUU fishing. -VNA.
