South Africa–South Korea relations refers to the bilateral relations between South Africa and South Korea. During the 1950s, two countries fought together during the Korean War under the United Nations Command.[1][2][3] Formal diplomatic relations began on December 1, 1992.[4] The two governments signed accords regulating taxes, aviation, and investment.[5] High-level visits followed. In July 1995, South African President Nelson Mandela visited Seoul to meet with South Korean president Kim Young-sam.[4] To institutionalize these visits, in 1997 the two nations agreed to hold regular Policy Consultative Meetings,[6] where working groups focused on particular subjects of the relationship convene to negotiate shared rules and regulations. [4] In 2005, Seoul hosted the Korea–South Africa Joint Committee on Science and Technology to promote cross-border scientific collaboration.[7]

Economic relations

South Africa is South Korea’s largest African trading partner, and South Korea is South Africa’s fourth largest Asian trading partner.[4] South Africa largely exports unprocessed minerals, like ferro-chromium or platinum; semi-processed inputs like steel; and foodstuffs like sugar.[4] Two growing areas of modern exchange include green energy, where South Korean and South African firms exchange solar energy and rare earth elements,[8] and bilateral investment.

Trade

[1] 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2022
South Africa to South Korea $0.60B $0.54B $1.40B $1.84B $1.20B $1.25B
South Korea to South Africa $1.26B $0.90B $1.48B $1.78B $1.31B $2.89B

References

  1. ^ "South African Embassy, Seoul". www.southafrica-embassy.or.kr. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  2. ^ Garcia, Antonio (November 2021). "The South African Air Force in Korea: an evaluation of 2 Squadron's first combat engagement, 19 November until 2 December 1950". Historia. 66 (2): 23–47. doi:10.17159/2309-8392/2021/v66n2a2. ISSN 0018-229X.
  3. ^ "United Nations Command > Organization > Contributors > South Africa". www.unc.mil. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  4. ^ a b c d e "South African Embassy, Seoul".
  5. ^ Keynote Address by H.E. Chull-joo Park, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to South Africa
  6. ^ "South African Embassy, Seoul".
  7. ^ Shelton, Garth (2009). KOREA & SOUTH AFRICA: Building a strategic partnership (Technical report). p. 36–40. JSTOR resrep07762.17. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  8. ^ Opening remarks at the seminar commemorating the 30th anniversary of the relations between South Korea and South Africa