1. Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Jae-shin met with Paul Bie Eyene, General Secretary of Gabon’s Foreign 
Ministry, on October 7 for a discussion on ways to promote strategic cooperation between the two countries.

2. Gabon, Korea’s bridgehead for diplomacy vis-à-vis Africa in the 1970s, has been maintaining close 
and cooperative relations with Korea since former President Omar Bongo’s state visit to Korea in 1975. 
President Bongo’s posthumous son Ali Bongo also visited the country in October 2010 following his 
inauguration as President in October 2009, which demonstrates the constant close relationship between 
the two countries.

° On the heels of the sinking of the Cheonan and shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in 2010, in particular, 
Gabon issued statements supporting ROK’s position and condemning North Korea.

3. General Secretary Eyene’s schedule during his visit to Korea from October 4 through 12 includes a 
seminar organized to share Korea’s experience in economic development and a tour of major research 
and development as well as industrial complexes.

                  Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation