Competition rate exceeds 50 to 1... "It's harder to come to 'this country' than to become a diplomat"

【Hanoi (Vietnam)=Kim Jun-seok Reporter】"It's more difficult to come to the Vietnam mission than to pass the diplomat candidate selection exam." 
In the past, 'Washington School', 'Japan School', and 'China School' were popular within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but recently, expectations for the emergence of 'Vietnam School' are rising. The ambassador to Vietnam is usually appointed from diplomats at the deputy minister level or higher, and as influential figures in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are appointed, the status within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also rising. A representative case is Minister Oh Young-joo, who served as the former ambassador to Vietnam and was appointed as the deputy minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of SMEs and Startups. 
According to the diplomatic community on the 29th, the popularity of the Vietnam mission is on the rise.
In February last year, the competition rate exceeded 50 to 1, and in previous rounds, it exceeded 70 to 1, gaining popularity. In addition, the number of personnel at the mission is increasing every year, making it a popular mission within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Diplomat A said, "Vietnam is a stronghold of Korea's soft power and has a strong friendly atmosphere towards Korea," adding, "As the comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) has been established, economic cooperation between the two countries has deepened, and it is recognized as a place where great achievements can be made, leading to continued applications." 
It is also reported that Vietnam has strengths in communication with the local area. Diplomat B said, "In the case of other national missions, it takes a long time to meet government officials," adding, "In Vietnam, in urgent cases, appointments can be made and meetings can be held on the same day, giving the impression that Korean companies and the Korean government are prioritized." 
There were also opinions that the high level of security, proximity to Korea, and children's education were advantages among Southeast Asian countries.
Diplomat C said, "Vietnam, where foreign direct investment (FDI) accounts for a high proportion, has many expatriates from domestic and foreign companies," adding, "Accordingly, there are various international schools, showing strengths in children's education, which is one of the major concerns in overseas mission life."
Meanwhile, there were also criticisms that the workload is higher than any other mission.
Diplomat D said, "Every month, officials from the Korean government, National Assembly, and local governments visit Vietnam, and the workload, including reporting and protocol, is high," adding, "In addition, there are many significant cooperation projects such as nuclear power and the North-South high-speed railway, which are vital to Korean companies, so we work with a sense of responsibility." It is predicted locally that all presidents from former President Kim Young-sam to former President Yoon Suk-yeol have visited Vietnam, and the president to be elected on the 3rd will also visit Vietnam soon.rejune1112@fnnews.com Kim Jun-seok Reporter