Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has opened a new Embassy in Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in a move to tighten decades of trade and cooperation ties with the South East Asian nation.
The decree, signed on January 2, 2024, marks the first presidential act of the year.
Despite South Korea maintaining an Embassy in Cameroon for several years, this establishment represents Cameroon’s first diplomatic presence in the country.
The decision is seen as a significant step toward enhancing bilateral ties that have existed since 1961.
The Republic of Korea has expressed a longstanding desire for Cameroon to establish an embassy in Seoul.
The formal request was initiated in 2019 when Lee Yu-young, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea, met with Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute at the Star Building on January 26, 2019.
During the meeting, Lee emphasized the potential for building a lasting relationship and facilitating cooperation and business exchanges between the two countries.
The opening of the new embassy aligns with South Korea’s readiness to accompany Cameroon in its development drive, particularly towards achieving emergence by 2035.
The countries have maintained close cooperation, and South Korea has consistently demonstrated interest in contributing to Cameroon’s progress, focusing on sectors such as agriculture and renewable energy, specifically in solar, wind, and biomass.
On October 31, 2023, the Korean Prime Minister, Han Duck-Soo, made an official visit to Yaounde to enhance ties between the two nations.
Cameroon’s embassy in South Korea is expected to serve as a hub for facilitating collaboration in various sectors, including trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.
The move is likely to catalyze business interactions, with trade between the two countries experiencing growth.
According to estimates from Business in Cameroon, bilateral trade stood at $180 million (approximately CFA 111.6 billion) in 2021, showing an upward trend from $170 million (CFA 105.4 billion) in 2020.
The establishment of the embassy reinforces the commitment of both nations to deepening their partnership and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
Mimi Mefo Info
