Le Hai Binh, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry

(VOVworld) - Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s spokesman has responded to a media question on its response to the ferry accident in the southern sea of the Republic of Korea, leaving nearly 300 dead and missing. Spokesman Le Hai Binh was speaking at a regular press conference on Thursday: “Vietnam expressed its grave concern on the ferry accident on April 16, where many people were killed or reported missing. Vietnam sent its deep condolences to victim families and wished the Republic of Korean rescue forces find missing victims shortly.”

The spokesman responded to the remaining deadline of 2 months before overseas Vietnamese must register at their wish to uphold Vietnamese nationality by July 1: “The Vietnamese constitution stipulates that overseas Vietnamese is an inseparable part of the Vietnamese community. Relevant authorities have actively reviewed procedures on citizenship retain in line with the 2008 Law on Nationality to initiate appropriate measures to protect legitimate rights and interests of overseas Vietnamese.”

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, the spokesman said Vietnam is keeping a watchful eye on the situation in Ukraine and gravely concerned about complicated developments in eastern Ukraine. Vietnam wished related parties to practice self-refrain, not using force and avoid actions that complicate the situation and harm civilians while seeking for peaceful means for all parties’ benefit and Ukrainian people’s aspiration.