Yoon Holds Bilateral Talks with Leaders of Four Countries Attending Korea-Africa Summit

"Expecting to Realize Infinite Potential"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering the closing remarks at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit held at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 4th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 4th, President Yoon Suk-yeol held bilateral talks with the leaders of four African countries attending the Korea-Africa Summit.

President Yoon met individually with President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, President Andry Nirina Rajoelina of Madagascar, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia, and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana during the summit held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

During the talks, President Yoon said, "Listening to the insightful opinions of the leaders at the summit, I felt the will and sincerity to enhance Korea-Africa cooperation. Taking this opportunity, as both sides have become closer partners, I hope we can join forces to realize the boundless potential we each possess."

The African leaders expressed, "At this summit, we could feel that President Yoon carefully considers Africa and regards us as true friends."

President Ruto of Kenya stated, "We highly appreciate our government hosting the first Korea-Africa Summit, and Kenya actively responds to President Yoon’s will to enhance cooperation. We also hope to discuss cooperation in the defense industry."

President Yoon expressed his intention to strengthen cooperation with Madagascar in various fields such as minerals and agriculture, especially hoping to expand collaboration in key minerals (graphite, nickel, titanium, etc.) based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on key mineral cooperation signed during this summit.

He also congratulated President Boakai on his inauguration in January this year and said it is very meaningful that President Boakai visited Korea in the year marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Liberia, which provided material support during the Korean War.

President Yoon said, "We regard Ghana, the location of the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as a hub for our economic cooperation with Africa, and hope that both countries will expand trade and investment based on mutually complementary economic structures."

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