Senior officials from South Korea and Vietnam will hold a meeting this week to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral military cooperation and curb North Korea's nuclear threat, Seoul's defense ministry said. 
South Korean Vice Defense Minister Hwang In-moo began a three-day visit in Hanoi that day to attend the fifth annual defense strategic dialogue with his counterpart Nguyen Chi Vinh, the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement. 
Korea and Vietnam held its fifth national defense strategy talks this week to discuss ways to strengthen military cooperation, and to cooperate on curbing North Korea's nuclear threats. 
This was the first time talks were held since Vietnam approved its new government in April this year, and provided an opportunity for the two countries to reaffirm its cooperation on national defense. 
Hwang also plans to meet Vietnamese Defence Minister Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich and invite him to visit South Korea next year, the ministry said. 
The dialogue has served as a key platform for the two nations' military cooperation. The latest session is the first since a new Vietnamese government took office in April. 
The two sides are expected to discuss exchanges of high-ranking military officials, cooperation in international peacekeeping operations and their plans for bilateral military logistics support. 
They will also share views on North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats and discuss measures to promote peace and stability in the region, it said. 
South Korea fought against Vietnamese communists during the Vietnam War (1960-75). The two countries restored diplomatic ties in 1992. 
During the talks, the vice ministers discussed cooperation in areas such as the exchange of high-level military personnel, joint military academies and international peace keeping operations. The feasibility of an agreement outlining mutual logistics support was also brought to the table. The state of affairs concerning North Korea's nuclear provocations was also discussed as the vice ministers exchanged ideas on promoting peace and stability in the region. 
Vice Minister Hwang asked that Vietnam, the 2017 host for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, continue to stand on the side of the international community in dealing with the North Korean nuclear issue. 
During the three-day visit, the vice minister is also scheduled to meet with Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich, and will be paying a visit to the air force headquarters.