S. Korean president vows to expand mining ties with Africa, send more development aid
Trade with African countries currently accounts for less than 2% of South Korea’s total imports and exports.
After Tuesday’s meeting, South Korea and African countries announced they would begin high-level talks aimed at improving cooperation in minerals. The African continent is a major source of nickel, cobalt, graphite and lithium, which are crucial for technology industries such as semiconductors, batteries and electric vehicles, which are important export commodities of South Korea.
South Korean officials say expanding ties in the minerals and other natural resources sector would help improve the country’s supply chain resilience in key technology industries. There are fears in South Korea that it faces growing difficulties in securing a stable supply of base minerals because it has secured a much smaller number of mines than the United States, China and Japan.
Yoon said South Korea also plans to expand its cumulative development assistance contributions to Africa to around $10 billion by 2030 and separately provide $14 billion in export financing to encourage South Korean investments in the region.
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, current chair of the African Union – a new member of the G20 – expressed his hope that South Korea would invest in “important sectors such as trade, new technologies, energy, “food, security, human capital and infrastructure” and expressed his confidence. in a future “sustainable partnership”.
The countries also pledged to collaborate more closely in building sustainable infrastructure in Africa, including data-driven smart cities and intelligent transport systems. The continent has some of the least developed infrastructure in the world.
South Korea’s opening to Africa comes at a time when North Korea is increasingly actively trying to emerge from its diplomatic isolation and build cooperation with countries confronting the United States, while its leader Kim Jong Un adheres to the idea of ​​a “new cold war”. “.
In recent months, Kim has raised the profile of his ties with Russia and China and sent a government delegation to Iran.
North Korea has long-standing relations with several African countries, including Uganda, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, although some governments in the region have reduced ties with the North amid tightened U.N. sanctions regarding its nuclear weapons and missile programs. U.N. experts have for years accused North Korea of ​​generating illicit revenue from Africa through infrastructure projects, arms sales and other activities.
In a statement released in May, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the country’s relations with Africa “will continue to develop invariably” and that it will continue to support the region’s struggle for “independent development.” under the banner of non-alignment as well as independence against imperialism. .”
Yoon said the security situation on the Korean Peninsula is in a “very serious state” following a series of North Korean provocations and military activities, including the unsuccessful launch of a military reconnaissance satellite last month. He expressed hope to coordinate with African countries to increase pressure on North Korea.
“Together with our African friends, South Korea will fully implement the UN Security Council resolutions and work to safeguard peace on the Korean Peninsula and the international community,” Yoon said.
In a joint statement, South Korea and African countries reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea and stressed “the importance of efforts to the international community to achieve complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the country.” Korean Peninsula.”
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
