Diplomacy Journal Jon Lee | President Yoon Suk-yeol held bilateral meetings with President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, President Andry Nirina Rajoelina of Madagascar, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of Liberia, and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana, who are attending the Korea-Africa Summit on June 4. (June 4-5).

During the morning session of the Korea-Africa Summit, President Yoon said that he could feel the will and sincerity of the leaders to promote Korea-Africa cooperation by listening to their remarks, and he looks forward to realizing the vast potential of each other as the two sides have become closer partners through this meeting. 

The African leaders were treated to a cultural performance by the Korea-Africa Ensemble at the welcome dinner on June 3, and then at the opening of the Summit on June 4, President Yoon walked with all the African leaders, showing that Korea cares about Africa and considers it a true friend.

(Kenya) President Yoon welcomed President Ruto's return to Korea after a year and a half to attend the Korea-Africa Summit, and expressed his hope that the two countries will expand the breadth and depth of cooperation in various fields such as infrastructure, food security, and maritime as they celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. 

President Ruto appreciated the Seoul government's hosting of the first-ever Korea-Africa Summit and said that Kenya responded positively to President Yoon's willingness to promote cooperation, adding that he hoped to discuss cooperation in the military sector. 

The two leaders agreed to start negotiations on an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to take economic cooperation to the next level, and to work together to ensure the successful completion of the Kenya-AIST project, which the Korean government is supporting with the EDCF.

(Madagascar) President Yoon expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including minerals and agriculture, with Madagascar, which was the first African country to sign a Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) with Korea (August 2023), and hoped that the two countries would expand cooperation in the field of core minerals (graphite, nickel, titanium, etc.) based on the MOU on Core Minerals Cooperation Partnership signed on the occasion of the summit. 

President Rajoelina responded positively, saying that he was pleased to see the active mineral cooperation between the two countries, including the Ambatovy Nickel Plant Project, which is Korea's largest investment in Africa. He also expressed his appreciation for Korea's contribution to Madagascar's infrastructure through various development cooperation projects. The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in the agriculture sector based on the MOU on the K-Rice Belt project signed on the occasion of the summit.

(Liberia) President Yoon congratulated President Boakai on his inauguration in January this year and said it is very meaningful that President Boakai is visiting Korea in the year of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Liberia, which was a logistical support country during the Korean War. 

President Boakai expressed his appreciation for South Korea's support for Liberia's development in various fields, including education and agriculture, and noted that South Korea's development experience is an ideal model for Liberia's efforts to overcome its history of civil war and achieve democracy and economic growth.

(Ghana) President Yoon praised Ghana, home to the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as a base for our economic cooperation with Africa and expressed his hope that the two countries will expand trade and investment based on their complementary economic structures. 

President Akufo-Addo expressed his pleasure at the expansion of the bilateral EDCF commitment to USD 2 billion from this year to 2028, double the previous amount, and asked South Korea to play a greater role in Ghana's infrastructure development. The two leaders agreed to continue their cooperation in the international arena, including elections and security issues in international organizations.