Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
INTERVIEW Tunisian ambassador seeks new partnerships during Korea-Africa Summit
Tunisian Ambassador to Korea Kais Darragi speaks of potential new partnership deals during the Korea-Africa Summit scheduled for early June during an interview with The Korea Times at the Embassy of Tunisia in Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Kim Hyun-bin
Inaugural summit meeting scheduled for June
Editor’s note
This article is the first in a series of interviews with African ambassadors to Korea ahead of the Korea-Africa Summit in June. ― ED.
Tunisian Ambassador to Korea Kais Darragi expressed his optimism about the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit, emphasizing Seoul's unique approach and the potential for a groundbreaking partnership between the two.
“We hope that the Korea-Africa Summit will offer possibilities for us to promote the investment side of Tunisia to demonstrate the attractiveness of Tunisia,” Darragi said during an interview with The Korea Times at the Embassy of Tunisia in Seoul, Friday.
"I think it is going to lay the grounds for a new partnership that is based on mutual respect, that is based on a win-win approach, and that is something that would differentiate this kind of partnership from other partnerships."
Tunisia warmly welcomes the Korean initiative, with the ambassador emphasizing that it is “the right moment for Korea to be more involved with Africa.” He said that Africa is no longer a passive player in global affairs with it having its own say and ownership of some projects.
"I think the Korea-Africa Summit is called upon to offer something different, and Korea has something different to offer in the new scramble of Africa. Korea is not a country that is focusing on natural resources; it's a country that focuses on values."
The ambassador said Tunisia seeks partnerships that would concentrate on the human element, human resource development, human exchanges and inclusive development.
Highlighting the collaborative efforts between Tunisia and Korea, Darragi said, "We have some initiatives and some ideas that we put forward to our friends in Korea to develop together. This is a joint collaborative effort that takes into account African needs and African development agendas."
Darragi outlined key areas for the partnership, including better targeting of official development assistance (ODA) projects, private sector engagement, public-private partnerships and a focus on science, technology and innovation.
55 years of diplomatic ties
Darragi highlighted the longstanding and robust diplomatic relations between Korea and Tunisia as the two nations celebrate the 55th anniversary of establishing ties this year. The ambassador emphasized the excellent political relations, understanding and dialogue that have characterized the bilateral relationship.
"We don't have any issue that could hinder the further development of relations between the two countries," he said.
The ambassador expressed optimism about entering a new phase of cooperation, aiming for a mutually beneficial partnership in both economic and diplomatic spheres. He acknowledged Korea's global aspirations and new responsibilities, particularly in the United Nations Security Council and as an OECD member with significant economic resources.
"We would like to partner with Korea to develop a political agenda for peace, the promotion of dialogue and cooperation worldwide," Darragi said.
He highlighted the progress of Korean investments in Tunisia, particularly in the technology sector and expressed hope for increased Korean investments, especially in the automotive industry, building on the success of existing collaborations.
“Because of the strategic location of Tunisia we are very well positioned to serve as a showcase of Korean technologies as a platform for Korean industries to expand in Africa in Europe and in the Middle East,” the ambassador said.
Darragi emphasized that Tunisia's appeal goes beyond providing cheap labor; it offers quality human resources and sophisticated services, making it an attractive destination for investments in the technology, automotive and pharmaceutical sectors.
The ambassador addressed challenges such as tariffs, emphasizing ongoing discussions to lower trade barriers and eliminate obstacles. He mentioned exploring possibilities like expanding the generalized system of preferences and updating existing trade agreements to facilitate smoother commerce between the two countries.
Despite most trade being with the European Union and North African countries, Ambassador Darragi expressed confidence in Tunisia's untapped potential with Korea. He encouraged Korean companies to consider the Tunisian market, highlighting its openness and strategic positioning as a gateway to multiple regions.
Darragi outlined three key areas of focus for future collaboration: technology and the automotive industry, science and technology partnerships and tourism. He stressed the importance of promoting tourism to raise awareness about Tunisia's rich history and human capital, paralleling Korea's emphasis on human resource development.
As Korea and Tunisia continue to strengthen their ties, the ambassador looks forward to fostering a new era of cooperation, one that transcends economic transactions to embrace shared values, dialogue and mutual growth.
A picturesque town perched atop a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in Sidi Bou Said. Tunisia is renowned for its striking blue and white architecture, which draws inspiration from both Arab and Andalusian traditions. Courtesy of Office National du Tourisme Tunisien
Cultural ties, tourism
Darragi also delved into the burgeoning cultural ties between Korea and Tunisia, emphasizing the potential for increased tourism.
"Many people here in Korea are familiar with Carthage, and many recognize Hannibal as a military genius. However, few people would associate Carthage with Tunisia," the ambassador explained. "Therefore, there is a significant amount of work to be done in educating people about the heritage, history and importance of Tunisia."
The ambassador acknowledged the current low figures in tourism but expressed optimism about the future.
"We are working with travel agents to promote the destination of Tunisia. We hope that we could in a few years considerably increase the number of tourists," he said.
Despite limited human exchanges compared to other countries, Darragi highlighted the positive image of Korean culture in Tunisia.
"K-pop is the new world now in Tunisia. People know very much about Korean pop culture, Korean food and Korean culture," he said.
"We'd like to make use of that to increase the flows and the exchange, both for Koreans to visit Tunisia and for Tunisians to be more interested in Koreans, to learn the Korean language."
Tunisia has already initiated Korean language programs and established memoranda of understanding with five Korean universities, with plans to expand this cooperation further.
Ambassador Darragi spoke about the joint research projects between universities in Korea and Tunisia, expressing the desire to build on these collaborations to create dynamic new moments beneficial for both nations.
Regarding his personal experiences with Korean culture, Darragi said, "People are very kind, and it is very rich in terms of cultural experiences and heritage.”
Tunisia, the northernmost country in Africa, is characterized by its diverse cultural heritage and historical influences. It is located along the Mediterranean Sea, which lies to the north and east, Algeria to the west and southwest and Libya to the southeast.
The nation's rich history is a result of various civilizations and successive dynasties that have shaped its identity.
From the founding of Carthage over 3000 years ago. The linguistic landscape of Tunisia reflects its historical ties, with Arabic, French and English being the prevalent languages. The country boasts a population of 11.8 million. In terms of economic indicators, Tunisia's GDP stood at $46.3 billion in 2022. Notably, 94 percent of the nation's GDP is attributed to its foreign trade.