The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will hold a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Ms Kang Kyung-wha, on Monday, 15 July 2019, at the OR Tambo International Airport.
Ms Kang Kyung-wha, accompanied by an official delegation, will be paying a Working Visit to South Africa from 14 to 15 July 2019 as part of her tour of several African countries.
The meeting will be the two ministers’ first official engagement since Minister Pandor’s appointment as Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, following South Africa’s recent general elections.
Media is invited for the Minister’s opening remarks, photo opportunity and remarks at the end of the meeting:
Date: Monday, 15 July 2019
Time: 12h30 for 13h00
Venue: Protocol Lounge, OR Tambo International Airport
Several bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest will be discussed, including the status of bilateral relations between the two countries, trade and investment, technical cooperation, Korea-Africa development issues and other global affairs.
Last year, on the margins of the G20 Summit in Argentina, Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Moon Jae-in met officially for the first time, making this engagement a follow-up meeting to further deepen bilateral ties.
South Africa and the ROK enjoy well-established bilateral relations since formal diplomatic ties were cemented in December 1992. The two countries cooperate in a wide range of areas, managed through a structured bilateral mechanism. Both sides are keen on further strengthening bilateral engagement, especially economically.
The ROK is South Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner in Asia, and South Africa is the largest trading partner of the ROK in Africa.
In 2018, South Africa’s total volume of bilateral trade with the ROK stood at approximately R37 billion, with South African exports at R23 billion and imports at R14 billion (in South Africa’s favour by R9 billion). There are approximately 27 Korean companies in South Africa, with investments in the automotive, manufacturing, ICT, energy, construction, cosmetics and shipping sectors, among others. The ROK is home to some of the world’s leading brands such as Hyundai, Samsung, KIA, Daewoo and LG, some of which have a local presence. Between 2003 and 2019, foreign direct investment projects recorded from the ROK represented a total capital investment into South Africa of approximately R31 billion, with over 1 700 local jobs created.
Media is requested to RSVP by Sunday, 14 July 2019, to Ms Kgopotso Rapakuana, rapakuanak@dirco.gov.za, 073 058 3876
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Cell: 082 566 0446
Tel: 012 351 1570
E-mail: ngqengelelel@dirco.gov.za
