Angolan Ambassador to Korea Visits Gyeongbuk Provincial Office … Requests Governor Lee Cheol-woo to "Pass on the Saemaul Undong Miracle"

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongsangbuk-do announced that Edgar Augusto Brand?o Gaspar Martins, Ambassador of Angola to Korea, visited the provincial government office on the 23rd and requested Governor Lee Cheol-woo for support to promote the Saemaul Undong movement and strengthen regional cooperation for Angola's development.

Ambassador Edgar Augusto Brand?o Gaspar Martins was appointed on November 14 last year, but refrained from exchange activities due to the spread of COVID-19 and visited Gyeongsangbuk-do first among local governments.

Gyeongsangbuk-do explained that this visit was a follow-up action after hearing that Bornito de Sousa Baltazar Diogo, Vice President of Angola, requested the transfer of the Saemaul Undong movement when he visited Gyeongsangbuk-do in October 2016 as Minister of Territorial Administration and State Reform.

Ambassador Martins explained the situation in his country, saying, "Although Angola is a major oil-producing country in Africa and has recorded high economic growth mainly in the oil sector, the majority of the population is in absolute poverty due to the long civil war."

He continued, "I heard that the Saemaul Undong movement was the driving force behind South Korea's miraculous economic development in a short period after experiencing the pain of war 70 years ago," and requested, "Please transfer the miracle of Saemaul, which is diligence, self-help, and cooperation, to Angola."

In response, Governor Lee Cheol-woo said, "As the birthplace of the Saemaul movement, Gyeongsangbuk-do represents South Korea more than any other local government in promoting the Saemaul Undong movement worldwide and actively supports the development of inter-country relations on the ground," adding, "We will strive to shine the bright light of hope on the African continent with the spirit of Saemaul."

Meanwhile, Gyeongsangbuk-do has been promoting exchange and cooperation activities centered on Saemaul training with Angola for 10 years since 2010.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.