By Kang Hyun-kyung
Korea and South Africa will strengthen cooperation in the areas of oceans, shipbuilding and fisheries, according to Yoo Ki-june, minister of oceans and fisheries on May 12.
During a speech to the National Day celebration of South Africa at the Millennium Hilton Hotel in Seoul, the minister said the two governments shared the view that the oceans and fisheries industries can serve as an engine for economic growth.
Yoo said that the two governments will share their experiences in those areas to help their related industries make progress.
The fisheries minister cited South Africa’s plan for the development of a maritime economy, dubbed “Operation Phakisa Ocean Economy” which was adopted in 2014, as evidence showing the African government’s commitment to developing the area.
The plan called for the shipbuilding and maritime industries to create jobs and economic growth.
Besides their priorities on maritime issues, Yoo noted Korea and South Africa also share historical experiences. Both of them underwent brutal colonial rule by foreign forces and ethnic discrimination but finally achieved liberation and freedom after decades of struggle, he said.
South African Ambassador to Korea Nozuko Gloria Bam singled out economic injustice, inequality, poverty and unemployment as four policy problems facing the nation, noting that her government will continue to fight them.
“The National Day celebration this year follows the theme “Celebrating the Beginning of the Third Decade of South Africa’s Freedom through Accelerating Radical Economic Transformation,” she said during her speech.
The envoy explained that radical economic transformation highlighted the African nation’s determination to resolve the four policy problems to make sure that all South Africans can benefit from the economic, social and cultural resources of the country.
South Africa is Korea’s second largest trading partner in Africa and bilateral trade marked $3.1 billion.
It is also home to the largest Korean population in the continent. Over 4,000 Koreans are living in South Africa for study or work.