Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Yemen

On 21 August in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Yemen and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Republic of Yemen jointly hosted a seminar under the slogan “Korea and Yemen: Friendship beyond 40 Years”, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Yemen. The two countries established the diplomatic relations on 22 August, 1985. In the seminar, over 50 people attended including H.E. Dr. Yahya Al-Shaibi, Director of the Office of the President, H.E. Muammar Al-Eryani, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, H.E. Awsan Al-Awd, Undersecretary for Financial and Administrative Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates from the Yemeni side, and Ambassador DO Bong-kae and his embassy team, KOTRA (Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency) and Korea Eximbank country directors from the Korean side.

For the congratulatory remarks, Dr. Al-Shaibi emphasized that the Yemeni-Korean relations have witnessed significant milestones since their inception in 1985, acknowledged the Korean support for the Republic of Yemen in terms of development and humanitarian assistance as well as political support in international forums particularly in the UN Security Council and the Yemen Sanctions Committee chaired by the Republic of Korea.

Ambassador Do highlighted that the bilateral relations had begun with cooperation in the energy sector and developed to the current cooperation for peace and stability of Yemen, also wished that the relations will be further enhanced for the reconstruction of Yemen.

Undersecretary Al-Awd characterized the Yemeni-Korean relations over the past four decades by sincere cooperation and mutual respect, and praised the significant role played by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in implementing numerous health and educational projects and capacity-building programs that have benefited many Yemenis.

Discussants from both countries stressed the Korea’s supportive role toward Yemen’s peace and stability, also suggested ways of future cooperation in areas of political transition of Yemen and sharing Korea’s development experience for Yemen’s reconstruction.