Vietnam - RoK project on post-war UXO consequence settlement inspected

The inspection delegation included Political Commissar of the Engineer Corps Major General Le Xuan Cat, Deputy Commanding General of the Engineer Corps Major General Nguyen Xuan Tung, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to Vietnam Kim Do-hyon, Director of KOICA Vietnam Kim Jinoh, UNDP Acting Resident Representative in Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen, and officials of the project’s Management Board, RoK Embassy in Vietnam, KOICA, UNDP, KBS (Korea Broadcasting System), Vice Chairman of Quang Binh provincial People’s Committee Le Minh Ngan, and representatives of the province’s External Affairs Department and Military Command.

The delegation visits and inspects the implementation of the project in Tan  Trach and Thuong Trach communes of Bo Trach district.

Vice Chairman of Quang Binh provincial People’s Committee Le Minh Ngan joins the inspection delegation.

The Vietnam - RoK project on the settlement of post-war UXO consequences aided by the RoK Government via KOICA at the value of USD 20 million supports the two Vietnamese provinces of Quang Binh and Binh Dinh to settle the consequences of post-war UXO. This is the project that both governments of Vietnam and the RoK and relevant agencies of the two countries have paid special attention to. The project supports the efforts of detecting UXO-contaminated areas and clearance of the UXO so that local people can be safe in accessing essential service establishments like medical clinics, schools and land for farming and production. According to the national data, Quang Binh now has about 224,934 hectares of land contaminated with UXO, accounting for 30% of the total area of the province.

RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Kim Do-hyon answering the press

According to the inspection program, on the morning of March 19, 2019, the delegation reviewed the operation of the project in Tan Trach and Thuong Trach communes in Bo Trach district. In the afternoon, the delegates attended the ceremony handing over equipment necessary for the project implementation to the Vietnamese side held in An Ninh commune of Quang Ninh district. At the hand-over ceremony, Ambassador Kim Do-hyon stressed that this project is especially meaningful, as it helps Vietnam and the RoK get in the harmony of the past history and present to together advance in the path to the future. On behalf of the project management board, Deputy Director of the VNMAC Nguyen Hanh Phuc held that all the equipment handed over to the Vietnamese side is modern, helping relevant forces precisely detect UXO lying underground so that the UXO can be collected and cleared as technically regulated. The equipment will also help the VNMAC update the database on UXO-contaminated and UXO-cleared areas, serving as an important source of data for land management for local socio-economic development.

Also on the afternoon of March 19, 2019, the delegation visited and presented gifts to students of Vo Ninh 1 Primary School in Vo Ninh commune of Quang Ninh ditrict.

RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Kim Do-hyon and UNDP Acting Resident Representative in Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen hand over the equipment of the project.

A number of images recorded during the inspection visit of the delegation:

Delegates at the equipment hand-over ceremony

RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Kim Do-hyon addressing the hand-over ceremony

UNDP Acting Resident Representative in Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen addressing the hand-over ceremony

Delegates in an exchange with students of Vo Ninh 1 Primary School in Vo Ninh commune of Quang Ninh district