Lee pledges closer relations with Africa

By Yoo Cheong-mo

SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Wednesday that South Korea remains firmly committed to helping African countries establish and implement their economic development strategies.

Hosting a dinner for visiting minister-level officials from 21 African nations,
Lee said South Korea will also continue to share its abundant experience and
know-how in economic growth with Africa.
"South Koreans regard the strengthening of their cooperation with Africa as very
meaningful and beneficial. We wish African countries will extend more
government-level support for South Korean firms wanting to advance into the
African market," Lee said at the meeting.
"The global financial crisis is now threatening to spill over into the real
economy. At a time like this, countries worldwide should deepen cooperation.
African countries, too, should pay attention to the matter."
The African ministers are in Seoul to attend the biennial meeting of the Korea
Africa Economic Cooperation Conference, the second of its kind after being
launched jointly by the Korean government and the African Development Bank in
2006.