By Nomatter Kasinganete
The government of South Korea is committed to assist Zimbabwe’s Second Republic to attain its national development goal of a better Zimbabwe and middle economy country. This was said by the ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency CHO Jaichel during celebrations to mark Korea National Day in Harare recently.
“I sincerely hope and believe that under the new dispensation, Zimbabweans will achieve remarkable development through economic and social reforms and re-engagement with the international community”, said Ambassador Jaichel.
He said he sincerely hope to see the relationship between Zimbabwe and Korea deepening and expanding politically, culturally and economically.
“Korea has accomplished the fastest economic growth in a short period of time. It began from ashes after Korean War that lasted 3 years from 1950, during which buildings, houses, dams… almost everything were totally destroyed. I hope the Korean experience will be helpful to Zimbabwean people and its economy”, he said.
Ambassador Jaichel said Zimbabwe has great potential not only because of its natural resources, but its people also who are kind, diligent, intelligent and educated.
The Korean government has continued to provide scholarship opportunities to students and Zimbabwean government officials to study in Korea. A Korean organisation based in Zimbabwe, the KOPIA centre is offering training courses in the agricultural sector as well.
The Ambassador said the Korean community in Zimbabwe is small but he is certain their contributions to Zimbabwean economy is worthy. Korean NGO’s have dedicated to improving the quality of life of Zimbabwean people through construction of boreholes and provision of medical services. He goes on to say many Koreans are flocking into Zimbabwe as tourists.
He said his Embassy will leave no stone unturned in strengthening relations between the two countries.
“I and my Embassy will not spare any efforts to strengthen the relationships in every fields between our two countries”, He said.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Ambassador Chipo Zindoga, head of Protocol and Conference Services Directorate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Michael Madiro, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Higher Education, Honourable Herbert Gomba, Harare Mayor and Mr Kim Gun- wook, President of Korean community in Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans from diverse fields.
