Lee calls Africa 'a continent of great potential,' vows closer ties

President Lee Jae Myung met with African foreign ministers Monday and said Africa is "a continent with great potential in terms of growth and development," adding that his government has paid "special attention" to African nations since he took office.

Lee made the remarks during a group audience at Cheong Wa Dae's main building. The meeting was attended by minister-level officials from 19 countries and representatives of three regional international organizations, who called on the president on the sidelines of the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting held Sunday.

"On behalf of the Korean people, I sincerely welcome you for making the long journey to the Republic of Korea for this foreign ministers' meeting," Lee said.

While praising Africa's potential, Lee acknowledged that South Korea had not devoted sufficient attention to the continent. "From the perspective of the South Korean government, there is some regret that we have not focused enough on this in the past," he said.

He added that he understood this was the first time South Korea had officially invited African foreign ministers, and expressed hope that such meetings would become more frequent. "I expect there will be many more occasions to meet with you formally going forward," he said.

Lee said he hopes a Korea-Africa summit scheduled for 2029 will become a regular fixture, and called for foreign ministers' meetings to be held in the interim. "I hope we can hold foreign ministers' meetings regularly in between, so that we can cooperate where possible on the issues facing your countries and ours, and together find ways to be of mutual benefit," he said.

The president also drew a parallel between South Korea's postwar development and the challenges facing African nations. "Korea was also liberated from colonial rule after World War II and went through a difficult process to get where we are today — we seem to have walked a similar path to your countries, just a little faster," he said. "I hope we can share that experience and have in-depth discussions about what Korea can do together with your nations and what support we can offer."

Lee closed by reiterating his personal affinity for the continent. "Africa may be far from Korea geographically, but I — along with the Korean people — deeply admire Africa and want to work together," he said. He encouraged the ministers to speak freely, saying he wanted to hear as much from them as possible.