Latest news with #AfricaDay2025Korea-AfricaBusinessForum
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Korea Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
[Africa Forum] KAF president vows to strengthen Korea-African friendship
The president of the Korea-Africa Foundation, an affiliate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, vowed to support the young friendship between South Korea and Africa and then build deeper relations based on mutual respect and understanding. 'Our historical relationship is relatively recent due to distance. However, we are now overcoming physical distance through conscious effort,' said KAF President Kim Young-chae in opening remarks at the Africa Day 2025 Korea-Africa Business Forum held at Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday. The foundation seeks to continue its efforts to strengthen the ongoing partnership between Korea and Africa, which is represented not only by the number of embassies in their respective countries, but also by their ever-expanding people-to-people exchanges, African institutes at Korean universities, trade companies, nongovernmental organizations and more. 'The KAF will play its part, working hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Assembly, the African Group of Ambassadors, the African Union and our partners across both regions,' Kim told the forum, which was co-hosted by the Herald Media Group, the African Group of Ambassadors and the KAF. 'And it is one of our objectives to help connect Africa with our provincial governments,' Kim added, explaining that the foundation will strive to create more opportunities to connect Africa with a wider range of organizations in Korea.
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Korea Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
[Africa Forum] Jeonbuk Governor emphasizes local-level Korea-Africa partnerships
Kim Kwan-young, governor of Jeonbuk State, called for deeper regional cooperation between South Korea and African nations during the Africa Day 2025 Korea-Africa Business Forum held Wednesday at the Grand Hyatt Seoul. Co-hosted by Herald Media Group in collaboration with the African Group of Ambassadors representing 19 countries and the Korea-Africa Foundation, the forum discussed progress in economic diplomacy and sought cooperation between Korea and African nations. Congratulating the forum's opening, Kim expressed gratitude to the African diplomatic partners, including Moroccan Ambassador Chafik Rachadi, who also serves as dean of the African Group of Ambassadors in Korea, and Herald Media CEO Choi Jin-young, for organizing the forum. 'This year's theme, 'Building Bridges, Creating Opportunities,' invites both Korea and Africa to seek synergy through mutual exchange and cooperation in an era of global uncertainty,' Kim said. He pointed to Jeonbuk's proactive engagement with African nations, referencing a 2023 economic and trade seminar that brought together representatives from Algeria, Kenya, Libya and Morocco. "The event explored areas of mutual trade interest and institutional cooperation, including concrete discussions on (official development assistance), local factory construction and tax incentives," Kim added. Kim stressed that African partnerships should not be limited to national governments, but include exchanges at provincial and local levels. 'Jeonbuk sees Africa as a key future partner,' he said, expressing hopes for continued dialogue and expanded cooperation. Calling Jeonju a 'cultural hub of K-culture,' Kim encouraged African ambassadors to promote cooperation actively. 'I look forward to visiting Africa soon and deepening these ties."
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Korea Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
[Africa Forum] Fashion show, delicacies spice up Africa Day celebrations in Seoul
Colorful and vibrant traditional clothes from African countries and Korea adorned the Africa Day 2025 Korea-Africa Business Forum on Wednesday, accompanied by a side event introducing African food and crafts. Taking part in the fashion show were ambassadors and representatives from 13 African countries -- Morocco, Tanzania, Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tunisia, Sierra Leone, Angola, Ghana and South Africa. Korea-Africa Foundation President Kim Young-chae and his wife, Kim Hyun-joo, opened Wednesday's event. President Kim walked down the runway wearing the dapho, a short-sleeved Korean traditional garment worn by male scholars and officials during the late Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) eras. Kim's spouse walked alongside him wearing the dangui, worn for ceremonial occasions in the royal palaces during the Joseon era. Morocco was the first African country to take to the runway among the 13 African countries taking part in Wednesday's event. Moroccan Ambassador to Korea Chafik Rachadi showed off the jellaba, a long, flowing Moroccan traditional costume representing dignity, simplicity and national pride. Rachadi's wife, Leila Chelly, wore the caftan -- one of the most iconic symbols of Moroccan craftsmanship. Ambassadors from Tanzania and Kenya -- Togolani Mavura and Emmy Jerono Kipsoi – drew cheers from the audience as they danced along to the music while walking down the runway in their traditional costumes. Sudan showcased four different styles of its traditional clothing, the jalabiya worn by men and the thobe worn by women, featuring Sudanese Ambassador to Korea Amira Agarib. Two members of the DR Congo community in Korea also took part in Wednesday's fashion show, catching the audience's attention with their traditional clothing adorned in bright blues, yellows and reds -- colors featured in their national flag. The models also danced together on stage, eliciting cheers from the crowd. To represent Ghana's traditional clothing, Ghanaian TV personality Sam Okyere took to the stage wearing a blue and white kente -- Ghana's traditional clothing known for its vibrant colors and intricate patterns. After the African traditional clothing was showcased, Jeonbuk State Governor Kim Kwan-young showed off his hanbok while waving to the crowd as he walked down the runway. His walk was accompanied by the famous Korean folk song Arirang, adding to the traditional vibe evoked by his clothing. South African Ambassador to Korea Sindiswa Mququ and Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young closed Wednesday's fashion show, wearing traditional costumes representing South Africa and Korea, respectively, to celebrate unity and friendship between Africa and Korea. Mququ was seen wearing Xhosa attire, one of South Africa's many colorful traditional garments. Thursday's forum also featured national dishes and delicacies prepared by 14 countries, from Morocco and Zambia to Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria. Tunisia and Algeria also served traditional desserts to the hungry crowd. Seven African countries -- Rwanda, Sudan, Zambia, Sierra Leone, DR Congo, Tunisia and Angola -- set up booths displaying traditional crafts and accessories while Ghana had a booth featuring some of the country's most loved snacks.
Korea Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Korea, Africa can be woven into 'rope of unity'
A high-ranking South Korean diplomat said Wednesday that South Korea and Africa can join hands to tackle global geopolitical rivalries and supply chain disruptions together, like strands woven into a rope. Jung Kihong, ambassador and deputy minister for public diplomacy, said partnerships between the two "matter more than ever," describing each other as the partners that "have much to share and learn from each other." "We share a belief in human dignity, in innovation, in the power of youth," Jung said during the Africa Day 2025 Korea-Africa Business Forum held at Grand Hyatt Seoul. "We share a history of overcoming difficulty, of turning scarcity into opportunity and pain into progress," he said, adding that South Korea and Africa can work together to "build on that shared spirit." Serving as chief coordinating officer for the preparation of the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit in 2024 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Jung said the historic summit would not be a one-off event and instead heralded the beginning of "something greater." "Let us bind our hopes, our knowledge, our efforts into a rope of unity and purpose that no crisis can unravel," Jung said, alluding to an African proverb indicating a cord made of many strands is hard to break. Jung has served as the ministry's public diplomacy ambassador since April.
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Korea Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
[Africa Forum] Africa Day forum highlights synergy opportunities in startups, tech, energy
African ambassadors, business leaders and regional experts gathered in Seoul on Wednesday for the Africa Day 2025 Korea-Africa Business Forum, exploring opportunities for cooperation in R&D, startups, infrastructure and trade. During a panel discussion titled 'Building Bridges, Creating Opportunities: Korea-Africa Synergy in an Era of Disruption,' moderated by Tunisian Ambassador to Korea Kais Darragi, participants discussed areas where African countries and Korea can collaborate, as well as the limitations both sides must overcome to achieve mutual benefit. Opening the discussion, Kenyan Ambassador to Korea Emmy Kipsoi emphasized Africa's vast potential, particularly in its highly skilled and youthful workforce in science and technology. She urged Korean companies to invest more actively in research and development across the continent. 'The value chain will begin and end in Africa. So the best place to begin your R&D is in our universities. This is the space that is open for you,' Kipsoi said. She also called for stronger networking between Korea and African countries at both government-to-government and government-to-business levels, while addressing the need to fix existing trade imbalances. From the Korean business side, Yook Eun-a, executive vice president of Heerim Architects and Planners, emphasized the importance of understanding local cultures and knowledge exchange when doing business in Africa. 'We always work together with local talents to understand the culture — otherwise, our building design does not mean much,' Yook said. She noted that Heerim collaborates with local universities and technical schools and supports internships, design studios and workshops. 'This is a win-win situation not only for us but also for the clients in our new markets,' she added. Gloria Ineza, CEO and co-founder of SKN By G&G, a leading distributor of premium Korean skincare products in East Africa, highlighted the need to increase awareness of Korean startup support programs in Africa and expand institutional hubs across the continent. 'As a young entrepreneur in Rwanda, there was not much support in terms of funding, so I had to be self-reliant at the start,' Ineza said, adding that she only discovered organizations like the Korea-Africa Foundation after founding her company. 'We need to raise more awareness when it comes to startups because many young entrepreneurs simply don't know that this foundation exists.' Timothy Dickens, chairman of the South African Chamber of Commerce, identified energy and infrastructure as two key sectors for Korea-Africa collaboration. Acknowledging Korea's strength in both areas, he urged Korean firms to partner with local players to facilitate knowledge transfer and implement large-scale projects. As an attorney affiliated with Korean law firm DR & AJU, Dickens also pointed to the lack of legal frameworks to support Korea-Africa business ties, as well as visa restrictions, which present hurdles to engagement. 'One of the biggest issues we face with our clients is that Korea has no free trade agreement with any African country — which is surprising, considering that Korea probably has the most FTAs in the world.' Echoing Dickens' view, Ambassador Darragi suggested Korea introduce a Generalized System of Preferences or GSP scheme for non-least-developed African countries to promote trade and easy access to African products in the Korean market. 'Africa offers a new destination for global supply chains for Korean businesses seeking to diversify their geographical footprint. Africa also represents a natural ally in promoting international cooperation, a rules-based order and the free flow of global trade,' he added. Um Sung-yong, executive director and head of the EDCF Operation Group at the Export-Import Bank of Korea, presented the Korean government's ODA-backed Economic Development Cooperation Fund program, noting that Africa is the second-largest recipient region after Asia. 'We provide loans to the governments of our partner countries to construct basic infrastructure that supports economic growth,' Um said. He emphasized that Africa must attract more private investment to better utilize its abundant natural resources and critical minerals. 'Infrastructure such as water pipelines, railways and seaports is crucial for exporting critical minerals. The EDCF offers loans and direct funding so partner countries can build such infrastructure,' he explained.
