South Korea to open small diplomatic missions in Madagascar, Uganda, Rwanda
SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to open small diplomatic missions in Madagascar, Uganda and Rwanda this year to boost energy and resources diplomacy toward Africa, an official said Tuesday.
South Korea has diplomatic relations with the three nations, but has had its ambassadors in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania double as envoys to the countries without stationing any diplomats there.
The envisioned creation of the "mini offices" is a step toward the future establishment of full diplomatic missions there, a foreign ministry official said. One diplomat will staff each of the offices and handle diplomatic affairs with the countries, he said.
"This is aimed at strengthening diplomacy toward Africa, whose importance in energy and resources is ever-growing," the official said.
South Korea is the largest investor in Madagascar, and the two countries have been working on development of a nickel mine in the island nation. Uganda has drawn attention for its oil reserves, and Rwanda is rich in such minerals as tin and tungsten.
jschang@yna.co.kr
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[The day before ...]
jschang@yna.co.kr
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Korea approach was not that subtle in the past
Here are some articles from BBC / Times News
S Korea 'in Tanzania land deal'
Madagascar leader axes land deal
The Breadbasket of South Korea: Madagascar
SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to open small diplomatic missions in Madagascar, Uganda and Rwanda this year to boost energy and resources diplomacy toward Africa, an official said Tuesday.
South Korea has diplomatic relations with the three nations, but has had its ambassadors in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania double as envoys to the countries without stationing any diplomats there.
The envisioned creation of the "mini offices" is a step toward the future establishment of full diplomatic missions there, a foreign ministry official said. One diplomat will staff each of the offices and handle diplomatic affairs with the countries, he said.
"This is aimed at strengthening diplomacy toward Africa, whose importance in energy and resources is ever-growing," the official said.
South Korea is the largest investor in Madagascar, and the two countries have been working on development of a nickel mine in the island nation. Uganda has drawn attention for its oil reserves, and Rwanda is rich in such minerals as tin and tungsten.
jschang@yna.co.kr
(END)
[The day before ...]
South Korea to send economic mission to Ethiopia, Uganda, Cameroon
SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will dispatch a team of government and company officials to Ethiopia, Uganda and Cameroon to seek greater cooperation in resources development and other areas with those African nations with high potential for growth, the foreign ministry said Monday.
The 23-member economic cooperation delegation will visit the countries from Jan. 19-29. Kim Eun-seok, ambassador for energy and resources, will head the team that includes officials from economic ministries, a state resources development firm, and other public and private companies, the ministry said.
"Africa is of great strategic importance in the context of resources cooperation and securing new markets as it has rich resources and high growth potential," the ministry said in a statement. "Our country should strengthen and expand economic cooperation with newly emerging economies" to further boost the economy.
The delegation plans to seek projects with the three nations in resources development, infrastructure construction and establishing mutually beneficial development models, ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun said.
The 23-member economic cooperation delegation will visit the countries from Jan. 19-29. Kim Eun-seok, ambassador for energy and resources, will head the team that includes officials from economic ministries, a state resources development firm, and other public and private companies, the ministry said.
"Africa is of great strategic importance in the context of resources cooperation and securing new markets as it has rich resources and high growth potential," the ministry said in a statement. "Our country should strengthen and expand economic cooperation with newly emerging economies" to further boost the economy.
The delegation plans to seek projects with the three nations in resources development, infrastructure construction and establishing mutually beneficial development models, ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun said.
jschang@yna.co.kr
(END)
--------------------------------
Korea approach was not that subtle in the past
Here are some articles from BBC / Times News
S Korea 'in Tanzania land deal'
Madagascar leader axes land deal
The Breadbasket of South Korea: Madagascar
