▲ Participants pose for a commemorative photo during the "2026 Africa Day" event held in Seoul on May 20, 2026. (Yonhap)
▲ Foreign Minister Cho Hyun delivers a congratulatory speech during the "2026 Africa Day" event held in Seoul on May 20, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) S Korea-Africa FM meeting

(LEAD) S. Korea, African FMs to gather in Seoul next week to discuss stronger ties amid global challenges

(ATTN: ADDS details on biz forum, background info in last 5 paras)

SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- Foreign ministers of South Korea and more than 50 African nations will gather in Seoul next week to discuss joint responses to multiple global challenges and ways to boost cooperation for shared growth, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Under the theme of "Partnership for Joint Responses to Global Challenges," the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held next Monday, marking the first ministerial meeting of its kind independently hosted by the South Korean government, according to the ministry.

The meeting is expected to bring together foreign ministers and representatives from 52 countries, as well as the heads of four African international organizations -- the African Union, the African Development Bank, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Africa is emerging as a key hub for global connectivity and future growth, backed by its young population, abundant resources and strategic location," Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Monday in an event marking Africa Day.

Calling Africa a crucial partner, particularly amid geopolitical tensions and supply chain crises, Cho said the two sides will seek ways to achieve mutual prosperity and a sustainable future through the upcoming meeting.

The ministry expects the meeting to serve as an opportunity to expand practical cooperation between the two sides across a range of fields, following the first Korea-Africa Summit held in June 2024.

A Senior Officials' Meeting to prepare for the foreign ministers' meeting will take place in Seoul on Sunday, while the Korea-Africa Business Forum will be held Tuesday, the ministry said, adding that a joint statement is also scheduled to be adopted after the ministerial meeting.

The upcoming business forum is expected to bring together business leaders, experts, government officials and representatives from both sides, the ministry said.

The event is hosted by the ministry and jointly organized by Yonhap News Agency, the Korea-Africa Foundation, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).

Sung Kim, former U.S. ambassador to South Korea and current president of Hyundai Motor Co., and Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, secretary-general of the AfCFTA, are scheduled to deliver keynote speeches, according to the ministry.

South Korea first established diplomatic relations with six African countries in 1961 and completed diplomatic ties with all 54 African U.N. member states by establishing relations with South Sudan in 2011.

Seoul has been strengthening cooperation with Africa, whose strategic importance continues to grow due to its rapid economic development and abundant natural resources, such as oil and critical minerals.

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