President Lee Jae Myung met foreign ministers from 19 African countries at Cheong Wa Dae on June 2 to pledge stronger ties. The gathering followed the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Seoul the previous day, where participants agreed to boost cooperation on supply chains and critical minerals.
President Lee noted that Africa has significant growth potential but Seoul has not focused on it enough. He stressed that since his inauguration the government has paid special attention to African countries and said South Korea, like many African nations, was once under colonial rule and wants to go hand in hand with the region. Lee expressed hope that summit talks and foreign ministers' meetings between South Korea and African countries will be held regularly. Seoul currently seeks to host a summit with African countries in 2029. The Foreign Ministry said South Korea asked Libya to support greater presence of Korean firms in oil and refining sectors. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty proposed a Korean industrial zone on the Suez Canal Economic Zone. About 300 business leaders and officials attended a related business forum.
