Photo: Survivors of civilian massacres in Vietnam speak at a memorial event, c. 2021. Credit: Korea-Vietnam Peace Foundation.
In a report from August 3, KBS News covered President Lee Jae-myung 이재명 대통령’s expression of willingness to actively address historical tensions between South Korea and Vietnam. South Korea sent more than 50k troops to fight in the Vietnam War, in which Korean troops were responsible for numerous war crimes and civilian massacres.
At a State Council meeting 국무회의 on June 19, Lee said: “As to Vietnam, we must do everything within our ability,” and asked the Foreign Minister to ensure that the Republic of Korea does not deny historical facts about the country’s involvement in civilian massacres during the Vietnam War. The Foreign Ministry said Seoul previously offered to issue a formal apology, but the Vietnamese government declined the offer, based on its preference for a future-oriented relationship.
Lee also discussed the possibilities of reparations for so-called Lai Dai Han, or mixed-heritage Vietnamese born to Korean soldiers and military contractors during the Vietnam War, and increasing the quota for Vietnamese immigrants. “I would like to see us accept everyone who wants to come,” said Lee, adding: “It will not be much longer that Vietnam asks Korea for anything. We have to do what we can right now.”
