By Yi Whan-woo
South Korea is building a national history museum for the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Thursday.
The construction cost is estimated at $20 million. Korea will bear the cost as part of its assistance programs for developing countries.
The museum project began in line with DR Congo President Joseph Kabila’s request to then-South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to help the African country build a national museum during Lee’s visit in July 2011.
Congo has over 40,000 pieces of historical treasures but many of them have been damaged due to poor preservation.
KOICA, which operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said it had a groundbreaking ceremony in the country’s capital of Kinshasa, Wednesday.
It said the museum will be built on 15,000 square meters of land. The construction is scheduled to be completed by 2018 and the museum will open in early 2019.
“We hope the museum will serve as a historical and cultural site for the Congolese while offering international tourists a chance to learn about the beautiful cultures of Congo.” Korean Ambassador to DR Congo Kwon Ki-chang said in a press release.
Participants of the ceremony included President Kabila, Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo and Tourism Minister Elvis Mutiri wa Bashara.