The government the Republic of Korean has reiterated its commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations with Uganda in the interest of both countries.
Korea’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Park Sung-soo, in a speech at the celebrate his country’s National Foundation Day and Armed Forces Day at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala, assured Uganda that the Republic of Korea is committed to the objective, expressing the belief that the collective endeavours of the two countries would positively impact on Korea-Uganda relations with a view to raising them to a strategic level.
“The Korean government has focused on what Uganda really needs, extending our cooperation through the KOICA, KOPIA and KOFIH country offices in the areas of healthcare, education and rural development. We will carry on our development cooperation with Uganda in order to support her relentless efforts in enhancing her human capital and economic growth, while fully sharing our economic development experience and technical knowledge,” said Ambassador Sung-soo.
“When we were faced with the unprecedented pandemic (COVID-19), our friendship of nearly 60 years resonated even more. You know what they say, “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” Uganda was not left alone in coping with the unforeseen challenges COVID-19 has presented. As one of Uganda’s reliable friends, the Republic of Korea went ahead to extend support worth 6 million US dollars towards Uganda’s COVID-19 response programme,” he added.
The Ambassador said that in overcoming the hardship together, the two countries grew closer and their relations became even more concrete.
“The Korean government’s support for Uganda’s refugee policy also carried on in the same context. In recognition of the great efforts required to respond to the refugee influx in Uganda, Korea has looked for ways to help Uganda better engage with this situation,” explained the Ambassador.
“In September, in collaboration with the WFP, we made the fourth donation of 6,000 tonnes of rice for refugees in Uganda. Additionally, KOICA is currently cooperating with UNDP implement an economic empowerment programme for women in refugee camps and reception centres, as well as working in partnership with the UNHCR to accelerate Uganda’s implementation of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework,” he added.
Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Uganda. According to Sung-soo, since then, there has steady growth of of partnership of the two countries in various fields including mutual trust and understanding.
“We are aware that there is still room for improvement in our relations. We can take it up a notch. In this regard, high-level exchanges have continued to provide great momentum in our relationship. In particular, both presidents’ states visits respectively in 2013 and 2016, laid a solid foundation for future cooperation and expanded the horizon of our partnership,” said the Ambassador.
“Development cooperation with Uganda has also strengthened in a relatively short period of time. Our ODA cooperation with Uganda began in earnest in 2010. Within just 3 years, in 2013, the Korean government took the step of designating Uganda as one of the priority ODA partners, in the hopes of supporting Uganda more in her move forward in the right direction,” he added.
He noted that now, with 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations right ahead of the two countries, it is timely and necessary to think about the future of their partnership.
Sung-soo who was posted to Uganda last year, explained that in the first few months in the country, he has witnessed Uganda’s tremendous potential and value.
He said, “Even though, like all other emerging countries, Uganda is experiencing rapid changes and facing a lot of challenges, she is politically stable, economically active, socially young and mentally very strong.”
“I hereby pledge that Korea will walk together with Uganda on her journey to her brightest future. I am looking forward to a future partnership that is more durable and sustainable, which will be mutually beneficial for both our countries,” said the Korean Ambassador.
In particular, he revealed that he believes it is important to establish frameworks that will help us boost economic cooperation of the two countries such as trade and investment.
“There are plenty of indicators that Uganda is ready to become an economic hub in the East African region, and Korea, as the world’s seventh largest exporter and the ninth largest importer, is willing and able to be one of Uganda’s best partners,” he added.
On encouraging more Koreans to have more interest in Uganda, the Ambassador said that both Korea and Uganda need to spare no effort in increasing people-to-people and material-to-material exchanges.
He also said that it is imperative to lay the legal groundwork such as a bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement and a double tax avoidance agreement in order to make Uganda a more attractive investment destination for Korean companies.
This year, for the first time, the Korean Embassy, together with several Korean companies, is participating in the Uganda International Trade Fair.
He said that the Korean Government is making efforts to increase exchanges and cooperation with African countries including Uganda.
“President Yoon has announced plan to hold the first ever Korea-Africa Summit in 2024. The summit, I am sure, will create vigorous momentum that will open a new chapter in the history of Korea-Africa relations. I believe that Uganda will be a part of this wonderful history-making event,” said Sung-soo.
The event was attended by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Okello Henry Oryem, Members of the diplomatic corps and international agencies, and a number of Koreans living in Uganda.