2012 marked a turning point in every sector of South Korea’s ties with Africa – diplomacy, trade, investment and official development assistance
South Korean companies are the contractors of choice for African governments but the East Asian country is also expanding its peacekeeping and official development assistance (ODA) agenda in Africa. The Seoul government is sending 280 South Korean soldiers to Bor, South Sudan, in March to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping mission there. At the same time, bilateral trade is growing fast but from a low level: South Korea represents about 2.5% of Africa’s global trade, yet Africa accounts for only 2% of South Korea’s trade. Still, trade with Africa increased fourfold to US$22 billion in 2011 from $5.5 bn. in 2000, as South Korea exported ships and cars while importing primary commodities.
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