By Amin Kef (Ranger)
His Excellency Ambassador Kim Young-Chae, the esteemed Ambassador of South Korea to Sierra Leone, along with Consul Mahesh Choithram Nandwani, paid a diplomatic visit to Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh. This high-level meeting took place on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at the distinguished State House in Freetown.
In a warm reception, Dr Sengeh expressed his sincere pleasure, acting on behalf of the nation, to host the esteemed South Korean delegation. The purpose of the meeting was to foster stronger and more cooperative relations between the two countries.
Dr Sengeh underlined the significance of the discussions, emphasizing the mutual benefits of collaborative efforts in strengthening the enduring partnership between South Korea and Sierra Leone. He reassured that Sierra Leone was fully committed to maintaining and expanding the existing cooperation, reflecting the nation’s open-door approach to developmental and investment collaborations.
During the meeting, Ambassador Kim presented a formal request from His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, the President of the Republic of Korea. The request aimed to arrange a meeting between President Yoon Suk Yeol and His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio. This proposed meeting is scheduled to occur on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78), set to transpire from September 18 to 26, 2023, in New York.
Ambassador Kim took the opportunity to highlight South Korea’s eagerness to deepen its developmental collaboration with Sierra Leone, specifically focusing on vital areas such as foreign affairs, international cooperation, agriculture, higher and technical education, and private sector investments within Freetown.
The historical camaraderie between these two nations dates back to the establishment of diplomatic ties on June 25, 1962. Despite the geographic distance, the nations have maintained a strong and harmonious friendship. Korea, boasting one of the globe’s largest economies, has consistently stood as a steadfast ally to Sierra Leone, reciprocated in kind.
This diplomatic meeting signifies a pivotal step in further fortifying the relationship between South Korea and Sierra Leone, promising continued collaboration and shared progress in various realms. As the United Nations General Assembly approaches, the stage is set for key discussions that could potentially reshape the course of cooperation and mutual support between these two nations.
