Ruling party floor leader calls for special committee on biz with Africa

SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- A senior ruling party official said Tuesday he will
recommend to the president that South Korea establish a new body to engage in
business outreach and resource diplomacy with Africa.
The "African Committee" would be run jointly by the government, political parties
and the private sector, said Rep. Hong Joon-pyo, floor leader of the Grand
National Party, in a meeting with party leaders.
"The government and the ruling party should make a comprehensive body to
spearhead resource diplomacy and (business) forays in Africa," he said.
Hong returned home on Monday after attending the inauguration of the new South
African President Jacob Zuma last week as South Korea's presidential envoy. He
also stopped by Zimbabwe, Egypt and Kenya to meet leaders and other officials in
those countries.
"Africa is the last remaining land of opportunity that can provide a boon (to the
Korean economy), just like the Middle East during the 1970s," Hong said.
The lawmaker said that he plans to make his proposal to President Lee Myung-bak
when he meets the president to brief him on the African trip.
"I plan to focus on the issue (of setting up a committee) until the end of the
year," said Hong.
He told the meeting that South African officials decided to send a special
economic delegation to South Korea, and that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe
sought South Korea's active participation in his country's auto, electronics and
communications sectors.
He added that he tried to set up talks with Kim Yong-nam, North Korea's
second-highest official, in South Africa but that his request was declined. Kim,
North Korea's ceremonial head of state, had also attended the inauguration of the
new South African president.
"I was told that now is not the time to meet," said Hong.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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