Nigeria, South Korea Seek Broadening Bilateral Relationship

Nigeria and South Korea have shown interest in broadening their bilateral relationship especially in the areas of political, economic, defence and education.

This was expressed during the visit of South Korean 1st Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Choi Jong Kun to Nigeria.
The Korean minister who was received by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, was told of the intention of the Nigerian government.

Ambassador Dada told his Korean counterpart that Nigeria and the Republic of South Korea shared many things in common.
He noted that the visit was timely and it would enable the two nations to explore more areas of friendship that would be beneficial to both countries.
According to Dada, Nigeria cherished and appreciated the visit of the South Korean Vice Minister to Nigeria and Africa which is the first of its kind from South Korea.

He said the visit would open up a new chapter in the Nigerian-Korean relationship.
Dada however said to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, the two countries would be meeting again in the 6th Session of the Nigeria-South Korea Joint Commission in Seoul, Republic of Korea in October this year.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also stressed the need to further deepen both countries’ ties of cooperation in various areas.
He stated that Nigeria attached great importance to the political, economic, defence, education and other spheres of her bilateral relations with the Republic of Korea.

On global security challenges, Ambassador Dada said that countries were still witnessing global terrorism of enormous magnitude and Nigeria had its own share of these challenges, especially in the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin as well as piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

He informed that as compounded as the situation remains, Nigeria and her security forces including efforts of regional and international partners remain resolutely committed to continue to contain them and address their root causes.

The South Korean 1st Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Choi Jong Kun in his remarks, expressed his satisfaction over the reception received since his arrival in the country.

Later addressing journalists, Kun said in the next five years he would like to see Nigeria and South Korea relationship reach the zenith with bilateral relationship in technology, education, trading and many other fields.

He said: “Five years from now, perhaps then there will be no COVID-19, I would want direct flight from the capital of both countries, cultural collaboration, technology, education, trading.”

Kun, who disclosed that this is his first visit to Nigeria and indeed the entire African continent, expressed the belief that the visit will pave ways for more collaboration, in readiness for the post COVID-19 era.

He also disclosed that his country has so far expended $200 million on support in form of face masks and medical equipment to assist in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in 53 African countries.

Also while in the country, Kun met with the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to discuss collaboration on maritime security under the Deep Blue Sea Project.

Amaechi, after the meeting disclosed that they discussed maritime relationships and the two countries have decided to collaborate.

Kun had said Korea was interested in the Deep Blue Project and its implementation.