Prime Minister Han Deok-su, who is visiting London to attend the coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom, held relay meetings with top officials from the African countries of Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Gambia on the 5th local time.

Prime Minister Han emphasized to them that they want to forge a sustainable and long-term partnership with Africa and appealed for Busan's support as the host of Expo 2030.

Prime Minister Han first met with Malawian President Lazarus Chaquera at the InterContinental Hotel in London.

Prime Minister Han emphasized to President Chakwera that "Korea wants to build sustainable and long-term cooperation with African countries, including Malawi, not just for two to three years."

In particular, through the Korea-Africa Summit, which President Yoon Seok-yeol announced that he will hold in Seoul next year, and the Busan Expo 2030, Korea hopes to share its development experience with Africa and solve common problems in the world together.

Located in southeastern Africa, Malawi is a relatively stable democracy with a population of 20 million.

Recently, Tropical Storm Cyclone "Freddie" caused more than 1,000 casualties.

The South Korean government provided $200,000 (approximately KRW 270 million).

President Chaquera expressed his gratitude that "South Korea's assistance has made a real difference in the lives of those who survived the tropical storm," a government official said at a local briefing.

The official also said that Malawi is facing a crisis due to extreme poverty and climate change, adding, "As Korea has experience in lifting Korea out of extreme poverty and achieving economic development, we hope to share and learn from it."

Prime Minister Han then met with Sierra Leonean President Julius Mada Bio at the Hyatt Regency Churchill Hotel.

Sierra Leone, West Africa's country of 8 million people, struggled with a decade of civil war until the early 2000s, but has seen an elected democratic government since the end of the war.

Prime Minister Han told President Pio that the two countries should refer to the MOU signed last year and to pursue concrete cooperation projects in the fields of education, human resources, and agriculture in line with this agreement.

In particular, Prime Minister Han introduced that "Korea's electronic customs clearance system is exported to major African countries such as Ghana, which greatly contributes to increasing tax revenue," suggesting that Sierra Leone could also cooperate in this area.

President Pio welcomed the prime minister's proposal for an electronic customs clearance system and called for working-level consultations between the two countries to cooperate in areas such as the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and tariffs, government officials said.

President Pio, who is seeking re-election next month, said he hopes to work closely with South Korea on these policies, saying, "If I succeed in office, I will focus on human resources, education, agriculture and food security policies."

Prime Minister Han last met Gambian Vice President Mohammed Jalow at the Churchill Hotel in Hyatt Regency.

The Gambia is a country of 2.6 million people in West Africa, only one-twentieth the size of the Korean Peninsula.

In 2017, the 22-year dictatorship was overthrown and a democratic regime was established.

Vice President Jalow praised the Korean government's active support for The Gambia in the areas of health and agriculture, and noted that agricultural cooperation with the Republic of Korea, called the "K-Rice Belt Project," is helping to improve food problems.

He also mentioned the shortage of health personnel and facilities and the need to develop the digital economy, and expressed hope to strengthen cooperation with Korea in these areas as well.

Prime Minister Han suggested that it would be good to cooperate with South Korea in youth vocational training, transportation, and trade.

"African countries have expressed a common desire to share Korea's experience in economic development and have asked for cooperation on food security, human development, and health," the government official said.

The official added, "Our government wants to strengthen and deepen relations with Africa, which have been in a diplomatic blind spot," adding, "Prime Minister Han also suggested that we build mid- to long-term cooperative relations with Africa and share development experiences through the ROK-Africa Summit next year and the Busan Expo 2030."

(Photo = Joint Interview, Yonhap News)