Why did Han Seong-sook describe Africa as a continent with infinite potential?

She said Africa has a gigantic market of 1.5 billion people and key mineral resources. Han used that description to argue that Korea and Africa can build shared prosperity through cooperation.

PM calls for shared prosperity with Africa in era of AI transformation

Q: What did Prime Minister Han Seong-sook say about Korea-Africa cooperation on AI and digital technology?

Han said Korea is ready to work with African nations by sharing and combining its AI and digital technology strengths with Africa’s growth potential. She said the goal is mutual prosperity and a stronger partnership between the two sides.

Q: What is Korea’s three megaprojects initiative mentioned in Han Seong-sook’s speech?

Han said the initiative calls for a national transformation driven by semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers, and AI-driven administrative innovation. She said Korea will share these experiences with African partners.

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Summary

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Wednesday that Korea is ready to work with African nations by combining its artificial intelligence and digital technology strengths with Africa’s growth potential for shared prosperity. She spoke at the annual Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation ministerial meeting, which Korea has hosted since 2006. Han described Africa as a continent with infinite potential and said Korea will share its AI transformation experience, including its three megaprojects initiative. She said Korea and Africa should move forward together as true partners.

Key Facts

Han said Africa has a market of 1.5 billion people and key mineral resources.
She said Korea’s three megaprojects initiative includes a national transformation driven by semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers, and AI-driven administrative innovation.
Han said Korea’s AI technology and digital capabilities can help accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.
She quoted an African proverb saying that if people want to go fast, they can go alone, but if they want to go far, they should go together.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 9, 2026 11:03 am KST

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook delivers a speech at the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation ministerial meeting in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Korea is ready to work with African nations to share and combine its prowess in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies with the massive growth potential of the resource-rich continent for mutual prosperity, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Wednesday.

Han made the remark in a speech at the annual Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) ministerial meeting that Korea has hosted since 2006, calling Africa a "continent with infinite potential" with a gigantic market of 1.5 billion people and key mineral resources.

"Korea and Africa are important partners and special companions that have contributed to each other's growth," Han said. "Taking artificial intelligence transformation as an important opportunity, Korea and Africa should forge a path toward shared prosperity and take a new leap forward."

Han outlined what Korea is doing for AI transformation, including the government's "three megaprojects" initiative, which calls for a national transformation driven by semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers, and AI-driven administrative innovation.

"We will share these experiences," she said. "If Korea's AI technology and digital capabilities are combined with Africa's abundant growth potential, we can accelerate Africa's digital transformation and serve as a powerful driving force behind its remarkable leap forward.

"As in the African proverb, 'If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,' the Republic of Korea will move forward together with Africa as a true partner," she added.

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