By Kim Ji-eun

Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Eswatini Thulisile Dladla on September 1, and exchanged views on a range of issues, including bilateral relations, substantive cooperation, cooperation in the international arena, and regional affairs.

Foreign Minister Park stated that he was pleased to see Foreign Minister Dladla visit Korea following Prime Minister Dlamini’s visit to Korea in April this year, a meaningful one that marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and appreciated that the two countries have continued to develop friendly and cooperative relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1968. 

Foreign Minister Dladla expressed appreciation for Korea’s invitation, and looked forward to further strengthening bilateral relations through a series of high-level visits.

The two Foreign Ministers suggested expanding bilateral cooperation that has been developed mainly in the fields of health, welfare, customs administration, and personnel training into a wider range of areas. 

In particular, noting that the Prime Ministers of the two countries discussed cooperation in areas such as economy, agriculture, education, and technology during Prime Minister Dlamini’s visit to Korea in April, the two sides agreed to continue to explore ways for substantive cooperation in those areas.

Foreign Minister Park explained that the Korean government will host the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit next year to establish mutually-beneficial, sustainable, and long-term cooperative relations with Africa, and expressed hope for the King of Eswatini’s participation. 

Foreign Minister Dladla welcomed the Korean government’s efforts to enhance cooperation with Africa, and stated that she would do her best to ensure the King's participation in the Summit.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Park mentioned that Korea will serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-25 term, and considering that over 40 percent of the Security Council’s agendas relate to Africa, he expressed hope for close cooperation with African countries, including Eswatini, for global peace and security.

Particularly, regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the two Foreign Ministers agreed on the importance of a firm and united response of the international community to the unprecedented scale of provocations by North Korea, and committed to cooperate closely for that.

This Korea-Eswatini Foreign Ministers’ meeting served as an opportunity for the two countries to expand substantive cooperation in areas such as agriculture, science, and technology based on their friendly and cooperative relations, and strengthen cooperation on the international stage, with this year marking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.