Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan’s Visit to Ethiopia

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan visited Ethiopia April 6-8 after visiting Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During the visit, he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and held a meeting with Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, to reaffirm the special friendship forged between the two countries by Ethiopia’s participation in the Korean War. Expressing hope that Korea, an exemplary model of economic development in a democratic environment, would share its growth experience, Prime Minister Meles asked for Korean firms’ participation in infrastructure, energy and mineral development, and agriculture sectors. Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan meets with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on April 7 Following a discussion on specific cooperation measures in the aforementioned sectors, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries agreed to work more closely together on the international stage. Minister Kim asked for interest in and support for a Korean (surnamed Yoon), detained by the Ethiopian authorities, so that the detainee can undergo a prompt and fair trial process. Minister Hailemariam responded that utmost efforts will be made for the early resolution of the case. ROK-Ethiopia Foreign Ministers' meeting on April 7 Foreign Minister Kim held a luncheon gathering with local Korean residents and businesspeople to listen to their suggestions and difficulties. He also visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the elementary school in the Korean Village to extend gratitude of the Korean people toward Ethiopia’s Korean War veterans. He also paid a visit to Myungsung Christian Medical Center, which had been founded by a Korean, and offered words of encouragement to its staff. The first-ever visit to Ethiopia by a Korean Foreign Minister since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1963 is seen to have contributed greatly to promoting substantive cooperation between Korea and Ethiopia based on close friendship solidified by Ethiopia’s participation in the Korean War.