By Lee Hana

Korea and Tanzania have reviewed the past 25 years of diplomatic relations between their two countries, and have discussed ways to further strengthen their cooperation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se and his Tanzanian counterpart Augustine Mahiga held a meeting in Seoul on April 24.

"Our countries have been actively exchanging high-level personnel in recent years, and our relationship has a lot of room for potential," said Minister Yun.

"Given that some 3,000 Koreans visit Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti National Park annually, tourism is one area in which we should aim to expand cooperation. It would also be beneficial to expand cooperation on trade and investment, as our two countries have economic structures that mutually complement each other," he said.

"Based on the relationship that we have, built on a foundation of trust, I hope that our countries will continue to put measures in place that will help to elevate our economic development," said Minister Mahiga.

The two top diplomats also discussed North Korea and its nuclear and missile weapons programs, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the face of escalating tensions in the region.

"Pyongyang's numerous provocations, including nuclear weapons tests, ballistic missile launches, and terror threats involving chemical weapons, pose a threat to not only the Korean Peninsula but to peace across the international community. We are hopeful that Tanzania will continue to carry out the sanctions outlined in the U.N. Security Council resolutions," said Minister Yun.

"North Korea's nuclear weapons program will have disastrous consequences for Africa and the world at large. Tanzania is firmly against Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, and will continue to carry out U.N. sanctions, with cooperation from the Korean government," said Minister Mahiga.

hlee10@korea.kr