By Adedapo Adesanya
The Republic of Korea has disclosed an interest in strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu in various areas, especially technology, to enhance and lead the fourth industrial revolution.
This was the core focus of an engagement with Mr Jang Sungmin, the Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr Yoon Suk Yeol, in Abuja.
He stated that his country was interested in Nigeria “because it is the leader of Africa [and] has the biggest market, largest population, natural resources and biggest arable land.”
“Nigeria has all the criteria for economic power in Africa and Korea is a country that has all the technologies and development know-how and economic prosperity to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Korea is already leading that industrial revolution. So, President Yeol feels that by combining forces, Korea and Nigeria’s cooperation will not only lead to prosperity and faster economic development for Nigeria but also prosperity for Africa.
“The composition of my delegation shows you that President Yeol is committed and willing to find better ways to cooperate with Nigeria.
“Specifically, we look towards a younger generation workforce and natural resources that Nigeria has, especially to enhance and lead the World’s Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
The envoy reiterated that Korea has the technologies, knowledge, skills and human resources for technological transfer, especially in the areas of agriculture, cyberspace, security, biotechnology, and oil refinery.
He said, “Korea looks forward to a future with Nigeria.”
He further explained that as Nigeria’s new leadership under Tinubu had opened up the county for business, Korea was interested in investing more in Nigeria.
Mr Sungmin explained that President Yoel’s comprehensive diplomacy and foreign policy is about a global capital state which lies on three pillars.
“It is to enhance cooperation, especially with countries who share our common values of Liberty, Peace and Prosperity. Those were the three pillars that underline the foundation of our foreign policy.
“We will like to share and extend our cooperation, especially with countries who share these common values.
“We believe that Nigeria, especially the new government of Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, is a government we can share these common values with to enhance new economy cooperation.
“Korea used to receive aid from other countries. That is how we became the 10th largest economy in the world.
“Now, we are using that position to give back to the international community. So, we look forward to cooperation with Nigeria in this sense,” he said.
Contributing, the Vice President of SK company in Korea, Mr Guillaume Barthe-Dejean, said the post-Korean war was characterised by fast development, which is a product of collaboration between public and private sectors.
He said the private sector in Korea, like SK, Samsung and others, has supported the Korean Government in developing economic policies, adding that the model allows Korea to become a powerhouse.
“Today, Korea is the 10th world largest economy, the fourth world largest exporter and the country which is leading the 4th Industrial Revolution.
“SK is happy to be in Nigeria. Bonnie Light Crude irrigate the world economy, and Nigeria has resources and fuel that could power the 4th Industrial Revolution.
“In the last five years, the world experienced a decline in the supply chain globally, and I think for this reason, Korean companies would be interested in partnering with countries in Africa to stabilise the supply chain,” Mr Barthe-Dejean said.
Those in the delegation included the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Mr KIM Young-chae; Deputy Secretary President Yeol for Future Policy, Mr YOO Chang-ho; and Barthe-Dejean Others were Chief Financial Officer of LG Electronics Nigeria Corporation, Mr KIM Inkyu; Economic Attaché, Korean Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Choi Jungwon; and Ms Park Hyesong of Korea International Development Agency.
