South Korean President Moon Jae-in will be in Egypt on 19-21 January. This visit – the first by a South Korean leader in 16 years – is expected to open new horizons for co-operation in diverse domains, expanding the scope of the March 2016 comprehensive cooperative partnership agreement signed during President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s visit to South Korea.
Egypt is to be the first African country visited by the Korean president since he took office, which reflects Korea’s genuine will to further enhance joint co-operation with Egypt, bearing in mind its pivotal role in Africa and the Middle East.
The South Korean ambassador to Egypt Hong Jin-wook told a press conference Sunday that Egypt’s location
is distinct linking Europe, Africa and Asia. It also has the Suez Canal, through which South Korea can develop relations with Arab and African countries.
Several agreements in electronics will be signed during the visit.
One successful example in this field is the partnership between Samsung and LG to manufacture Korean products with Egyptian hands.
Exported products bear the legend ‘Made in Egypt’.
‘Ninety per cent of Egypt’s electronics exports are made in co-operation with South Korea’, he said.
Agreements on railway development, electric cars and desalinating are also to be signed during the visit.
A South Korean firm is to undertake the development of the Luxor-Nagaa Hammadi line and the LuxorHigh Dam-Aswan route.
The agreements between Korea and Egypt will be within the framework of Egypt Vision 2030 under the auspices of President Sisi, the ambassador said.
South Korea will also contribute to the Decent Life project, eco-friendly industries and transport schemes.
Both countries will be working to switch to e-government. Patents for an electronic system were registered last year.
The ambassador said he hoped many Korean archaeologists will be working with Egyptians, which will greatly boost Korean tourism in Egypt.
“It would be an honour for Korean experts to contribute to archaeological discoveries in Egypt,” the ambassador said. “In return, Egypt is to benefit from their experience.”
Forty South Korean journalists will be covering the visit and report on Egyptian culture, archaeology and tourism, telling the Korean people that their country is interested in cooperating with Egypt, the ambassador noted.