ID :
193856
Sat, 07/09/2011 - 11:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/193856
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S. Korea to work as partner for Africa's development with focus on Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, July 9 (Yonhap) -- Calling Africa the "hope for the future of this planet," South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Saturday that his country intends to work as a true partner for Africa's development and Ethiopia will be at the heart of Seoul's cooperation with the continent.
"Korea is ready to go hand in hand with Africa into the future. We wish to establish a partnership that will be conducive to the common growth of both Korea and Africa in the 21st century," Lee said during a speech before students at Addis Ababa University.
"Ethiopia stands at the center of Korea's cooperation policies toward Africa," he said.
Referring to Africa's potential for growth, Lee called the continent the "hope for the future of this planet." He noted that since 2000, six of 10 nations with the highest economic growth were in Africa and that the International Monetary Fund predicts that Africa's growth rate will top that of Asia's by 2015.
"That means that African economic development powered by its 1 billion people will create new demand, greatly contributing to the sustained growth of the global economy in the 21st century," Lee said during the speech at the top Ethiopian university.
Lee said South Korea "wants to be a strong partner in bolstering Ethiopia's potential." Saying human resources powered South Korea's rapid economic growth, Lee said that Seoul intends to help nurture Ethiopian human resources through support in education and training.
Expressing concern about industrialization-caused deforestation in the African nation, Lee also said South Korea will help Ethiopia seek economic development in an environment-friendly way under his "low carbon, green growth" initiative.
Lee arrived in the Ethiopian capital on Friday for a three-day visit that includes talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and a series of activities honoring Ethiopia's participation in the 1950-53 Korean War that helped save the South from invading troops from the communist North.
In summit talks with Meles, Lee pledged to provide active support for Ethiopia's economic development, work closely together for the success of Ethiopia's five-year economic development scheme, known as the "Growth and Transformation Plan," and share Seoul's development know-how.
Ethiopia is one of 16 nations that sent combat troops as part of U.N. forces to help South Korea fight off North Korea's invasion. A total of 6,037 Ethiopian troops were dispatched, with 122 killed and 536 injured. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Ethiopia's participation in the war.
On Saturday morning, Lee laid a wreath at the Korean War Memorial and met with surviving Korean War veterans. Lee also plans to visit a village later in the day to do volunteer work in a symbolic gesture of repaying Ethiopia.
During the university speech, Lee reiterated his gratitude.
Ethiopian troops "are still remembered as the bravest among the brave soldiers that were dispatched from 16 nations. A total of 122 soldiers sacrificed their lives for Korea, a land so far away from their motherland," Lee said.
"Their sacrifices safeguarded liberal democracy in the Republic of Korea. The Korean people will never forget your country, Ethiopia, which gave us a helping hand at a time when our countries did not even have diplomatic relations," he said.
Lee also gave words of encouragement for students. Recalling his experience of overcoming poverty and becoming a CEO and then president of South Korea, Lee told Ethiopian students to never give up and to keep challenging themselves.
"Young people need to keep a flame of hope in their hearts. We have within us endless abilities and remarkable creativity. But unless we challenge ourselves, those inner potentials remain hidden," he said. "I am here to tell you, do not fear poverty or failure, and challenge yourselves over and over again."
"Korea is ready to go hand in hand with Africa into the future. We wish to establish a partnership that will be conducive to the common growth of both Korea and Africa in the 21st century," Lee said during a speech before students at Addis Ababa University.
"Ethiopia stands at the center of Korea's cooperation policies toward Africa," he said.
Referring to Africa's potential for growth, Lee called the continent the "hope for the future of this planet." He noted that since 2000, six of 10 nations with the highest economic growth were in Africa and that the International Monetary Fund predicts that Africa's growth rate will top that of Asia's by 2015.
"That means that African economic development powered by its 1 billion people will create new demand, greatly contributing to the sustained growth of the global economy in the 21st century," Lee said during the speech at the top Ethiopian university.
Lee said South Korea "wants to be a strong partner in bolstering Ethiopia's potential." Saying human resources powered South Korea's rapid economic growth, Lee said that Seoul intends to help nurture Ethiopian human resources through support in education and training.
Expressing concern about industrialization-caused deforestation in the African nation, Lee also said South Korea will help Ethiopia seek economic development in an environment-friendly way under his "low carbon, green growth" initiative.
Lee arrived in the Ethiopian capital on Friday for a three-day visit that includes talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and a series of activities honoring Ethiopia's participation in the 1950-53 Korean War that helped save the South from invading troops from the communist North.
In summit talks with Meles, Lee pledged to provide active support for Ethiopia's economic development, work closely together for the success of Ethiopia's five-year economic development scheme, known as the "Growth and Transformation Plan," and share Seoul's development know-how.
Ethiopia is one of 16 nations that sent combat troops as part of U.N. forces to help South Korea fight off North Korea's invasion. A total of 6,037 Ethiopian troops were dispatched, with 122 killed and 536 injured. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Ethiopia's participation in the war.
On Saturday morning, Lee laid a wreath at the Korean War Memorial and met with surviving Korean War veterans. Lee also plans to visit a village later in the day to do volunteer work in a symbolic gesture of repaying Ethiopia.
During the university speech, Lee reiterated his gratitude.
Ethiopian troops "are still remembered as the bravest among the brave soldiers that were dispatched from 16 nations. A total of 122 soldiers sacrificed their lives for Korea, a land so far away from their motherland," Lee said.
"Their sacrifices safeguarded liberal democracy in the Republic of Korea. The Korean people will never forget your country, Ethiopia, which gave us a helping hand at a time when our countries did not even have diplomatic relations," he said.
Lee also gave words of encouragement for students. Recalling his experience of overcoming poverty and becoming a CEO and then president of South Korea, Lee told Ethiopian students to never give up and to keep challenging themselves.
"Young people need to keep a flame of hope in their hearts. We have within us endless abilities and remarkable creativity. But unless we challenge ourselves, those inner potentials remain hidden," he said. "I am here to tell you, do not fear poverty or failure, and challenge yourselves over and over again."
