Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chun Byong-keuk (right) from April 12-17 visited Ivory Coast and Egypt as a presidential envoy, urging both countries to actively take part in the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit. Shown is Vice Minister Chun and Ivory Coast Presidential Press Secretary Fidele Sarassoro posing for a photo. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

By Xu Aiying

First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chun Byong-keuk has urged Ivory Coast and Egypt to actively participate in the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul during his visits to both countries from April 12-17 as a presidential envoy.

Under the theme "The Future We Make Together: Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity," the event from June 4-5 will be the inaugural summit of its kind between both sides.

In talks with Ivory Coast presidential chief of staff Fidele Sarassoro and Egyptian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ashraf Souilam, Vice Minister Chun conveyed President Yoon Suk Yeol's intent to strengthen cooperation with each country for shared growth and solidarity through the summit.

The vice minister also requested that both African nations attend the summit to ensure its success.

In 1961, Ivory Coast became the first African country to form diplomatic relations with Korea. During his visit there, Vice Minister Chun proposed using the summit as an opportunity to boost practical cooperation and exchange in trade, investment, development and culture.

Egypt, which formed in 2016 a comprehensive cooperative partnership with Korea, suggested that the summit continue in-depth discussions not only on economic cooperation such as trade and investment but also cultural collaboration.

xuaiy@korea.kr