1. Foreign Minister Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet of Gabon will pay an official visit to the Republic of Korea on June 4-8 at the invitation of the ROK government. Minister Issoze-Ngondet’s official visit to the country will mark the first of its kind by an African Foreign Minister since ROK Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se took office.

2. On June 7, Minister Yun will meet with Minister Issoze-Ngondet and discuss a wide range of matters of mutual concern, including ways to boost trade and investment and increase cooperation in energy, resources and development between the two countries as well as the current situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Africa.

° On the heels of the meeting, the two sides will sign the bilateral Agreement on the Mutual Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports.

° During his visit to the ROK, the Gabonese Minister will visit the Korea Development Institute to learn about the ROK’s development experience as well as Korean companies planning to enter Gabon.

3. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, the ROK has maintained very special friendship with Gabon, as demonstrated by the four official visits of former President Omar Bongo Ondimba and the two official visits of incumbent President Ali Bongo Ondimba. The two Presidents have rendered strong support to the ROK on the international stage as well. Furthermore, Gabon was the only African country that sent a special envoy to the inauguration ceremony of President Park Geun-hye in February.

4. Under such circumstances, Gabon considers the ROK a strategic partner. Since the launch of the incumbent government in Gabon in September 2009, Korean companies have increasingly taken part in the Gabonese sectors of information technology (IT), infrastructure, energy and resource. In addition, the ROK has shared its development experience with Gabon by supporting Gabon’s efforts to set development strategies and providing training programs for Gabonese officials in the ROK.

5. Minister Issoze-Ngondet served as Ambassador to the ROK in 2000-2006. Drawing upon his rich knowledge about the ROK, he strongly supported the ROK’s position on issues concerning the Korean Peninsula while in service as Ambassador to the UN during Gabon’s term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2010-2011. His upcoming visit to the ROK will be his fourth since his taking office in February 2012.

                Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation