The Korea Times hosted the Korea-Africa Summit Roundtable in Seoul on Tuesday to preview opportunities that could arise from the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, set to take place in Seoul on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Moderated by Korea-Africa Foundation President Lyeo Woon-ki, the roundtable featured panelists including Tunisian Ambassador to Korea Kais Darragi, Egyptian Ambassador to Korea Khaled Abdel Rahman and Sudanese Ambassador to Korea Amira Agarib. The discussion delved into key issues surrounding Korea-Africa relations, such as investment, economic and cultural opportunities.
Lyeo underscored the significance of the gathering as a precursor to the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit.
“Today, we gather with a shared vision to explore and enhance the multifaceted relationship between Korea and Africa. This gathering could be a crucial precursor to the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit that will be held in a few days in Korea,” Lyeo said.
“The bonds between Korea and Africa were forged during the Korean War when some African nations provided crucial support during one of the most challenging periods in our history. This early solidarity laid the groundwork for Korea to establish diplomatic relationships with multiple African countries in the 1960s, aligning with the broader movement towards independence across the continent.”
Lyeo highlighted the renewed engagement in the 1980s, particularly around the 1988 Seoul Olympics, which saw increased cultural and political exchanges.
“For some time during the Cold War era, the Korean peninsula issue took a large part of the relations between Korea and African countries. However, as the Cold War ended in the early 1990s, the weight of our relationship shifted 카지노사이트킹 more towards economic issues and trade,” he said.
“Both sides started to promote economic ties, and accordingly, economic and business relations have only strengthened.”
The establishment of cooperation frameworks like the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) and the Korea-Africa Forum (KOAF) in 2006 marked significant milestones in facilitating dialogue, strengthening economic ties and promoting mutual interaction and understanding.
“On Nov. 23, 2022, the Korean government officially announced the plan to host the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, underscoring our commitment to upgrade our cooperation with Africa,” he said.
“Guided by the new government’s vision and strategy as a ‘Global Pivotal State’ and the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063, our two regions are poised to develop a strategic partnership that is mutually beneficial and future-oriented.”
