Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has praised a recent ruling by the Seoul Court of Appeals which ordered the South Korean government to compensate Nguyen Thi Thanh, a survivor of the 1968 massacre in Quang Nam Province by South Korean troops during the war in Vietnam.

"Vietnam welcomes the recent ruling by the Seoul Court of Appeals, which reflects historical truths and contributes to the realization of the spirit of 'putting the past behind and looking toward the future,” Pham Thu Hang, spokesperson for the ministry, said on Wednesday in response to a reporter’s query regarding the court’s January 17 decision.

“With this perspective, Vietnam hopes to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership with South Korea through practical actions to address the consequences of war, thereby strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two nations and their peoples."

The Seoul Central District Court earlier ruled in favor of Thanh in February 2023, ordering the South Korean government to pay 30 million won (US$20,900) in compensation.

On January 17, 2025, the appellate court upheld the decision, adding extra compensation for delayed payment.

Nguyen Thi Thanh, now 64, initiated the lawsuit in 2020 to seek justice for the February 12, 1968 massacre in Phong Nhi Village, Dien An Ward, Dien Ban Town, central Quang Nam Province. 

During the incident, South Korean troops from the 1st Company, 2nd Marine Brigade killed 74 villagers, including Thanh's family members.

Thanh herself sustained injuries in the incident, making her one of the few survivors.

Yonhap News Agency reported that the court confirmed the involvement of the South Korean military in the Phong Nhi massacre 57 years ago.

The court's decision considered several factors, including the nature of the legal violation, Thanh's age, the extent of the damage, and human rights infringements.

Testimonies from veterans and witnesses who were present during the massacre provided critical evidence to support Thanh’s claims.

Despite appealing the initial ruling, the South Korean government was held accountable by the appellate court. 

This appellate ruling marked the first time a South Korean court has acknowledged state liability for atrocities committed by its troops against Vietnamese civilians during the war in Vietnam.

Thanh expressed her appreciation for the appellate court's decision while urging greater attention to the plight of other victims of similar incidents.

At a press conference in February 2023, Doan Khac Viet, deputy spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that Vietnam prioritizes protecting the legitimate rights of its people while advocating for relations with South Korea in the spirit of ‘closing the past and looking to the future.’

Vietnam and South Korea established diplomatic relations on December 22, 1992, and upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership in 2009, further elevating them to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022.

South Korea is currently one of the largest foreign direct investors in Vietnam and has contributed to post-war recovery efforts, including clearing unexploded ordnance left from the war.

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