South Korea–Uganda relations refer to the bilateral relations between South Korea and Uganda. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 26 March 1963 and have since developed their relationship with a focus on development cooperation, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
South Korea and Uganda are expected to continue strengthening bilateral relations through expanded investment, enhanced institutional cooperation, and increased human exchanges. In particular, practical cooperation centered on economic development and technological collaboration is regarded as a core pillar of the relationship between the two countries.
History
After gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1962, Uganda pursued a non-aligned foreign policy and sought to expand diplomatic relations with countries in Asia and Africa. South Korea likewise aimed to broaden its diplomatic presence in the international community by establishing relations with newly independent African states during the 1960s. Within this context, the two countries moved toward the establishment of diplomatic relations.
South Korea and Uganda officially established diplomatic relations on 26 March 1963. Following the establishment of ties, South Korea set up a diplomatic mission in Kampala, Uganda's capital, and the two countries have maintained bilateral relations based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.
During the Cold War, Uganda participated in the Non-Aligned Movement and pursued a balanced diplomatic approach between the Eastern and Western blocs. During this period, bilateral relations remained limited, focusing primarily on maintaining diplomatic ties rather than cooperation in political or security fields. From the 1970s onward, Uganda's domestic political instability and frequent changes in government led to a temporary decline in exchanges between the two countries.
As Uganda’s political stability gradually improved from the 1980s, bilateral relations entered a phase of normalization. South Korea reorganized its diplomatic engagement with Uganda and sought to expand practical cooperation, particularly in development assistance and economic exchanges.
Since the 2000s, South Korea and Uganda have significantly expanded their relationship, with a focus on development cooperation, including official development assistance, and economic relations. South Korea has implemented various cooperation projects in agriculture, education, health care, and water supply and sanitation, contributing to Uganda’s social and economic development.
Diplomatic relations
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, South Korea and Uganda have maintained and developed their bilateral relationship through the establishment of diplomatic missions and high-level exchanges. South Korea maintains an embassy in Kampala, Uganda's capital, which plays a role in promoting bilateral relations as well as providing consular services and supporting economic and cultural cooperation.
Uganda, by contrast, does not maintain a resident embassy in South Korea. Diplomatic affairs related to South Korea are handled concurrently by Uganda's embassy in Tokyo.
The two countries have also sustained political cooperation through diplomatic channels. Since the establishment of relations, high-level exchanges and inter-parliamentary cooperation have taken place. Delegations from the National Assembly of South Korea and the Parliament of Uganda have conducted mutual visits to share experiences in development policy, democratic governance, and institutional capacity building.
Economic and trade relations
South Korea and Uganda have been expanding cooperation in the fields of trade and investment. Uganda has sought to promote development in sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, and information and communications technology by attracting investment from South Korean companies.
South Korea has supported Uganda's economic and social development through official development assistance. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has carried out various development cooperation projects in Uganda.
Cultural and human exchanges
South Korea and Uganda have expanded cultural and human exchanges, particularly among younger generations. Through youth exchange programs and cultural events, the two countries have promoted Korean culture, including taekwondo, the Korean language, and K-pop, thereby enhancing mutual understanding.
In addition, South Korea has broadened the foundation for cultural exchange across Ugandan society through embassy-hosted cultural events, educational programs, and volunteer activities. These initiatives have been carried out with the participation of local communities and youth, and exchange programs continued in non-face-to-face formats during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, as exchange activities combining sports and cultural cooperation have increased, human exchanges have continued to expand. Through related workshops and cooperative programs, social and cultural ties between the two countries have gradually been strengthened.
See also
- Foreign relations of South Korea
- Foreign relations of Uganda
References
Uganda Category:Bilateral relations of Uganda
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1963, South Korea and Togo have maintained and developed ties in various fields, including political, economic, and development cooperation.
History
South Korea and Togo officially established diplomatic relations on July 26, 1963. This coincided with a period when Togo, following its independence, was expanding diplomatic ties with Asian countries, while South Korea was gradually extending its diplomatic network in Africa.
After establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries maintained official ties. However, due to changes in the international situation and adjustments in foreign policy during the 1970s, diplomatic relations were suspended on September 17, 1974. This decision came shortly after Togolese president Gnassingbé Eyadéma visited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on September 7, 1974, for a summit with Chairman Kim Il-sung. With the end of the Cold War and changing international conditions, both countries sought to normalize relations, and diplomatic ties were resumed on January 23, 1991.
Since the 1990s, South Korea has made strengthening cooperation with African countries a key part of its foreign policy, while Togo pursued economic development and diversification of international cooperation. As a result, bilateral relations gradually recovered and developed. From the 2000s onwards, practical cooperation expanded, particularly in education, information and communications technology (ICT), and agriculture, centered on official development assistance (ODA).
In 2023, South Korea and Togo celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. On this occasion, both countries resumed high-level diplomatic exchanges and reaffirmed the deepening of cooperation in development and economic fields.
Diplomatic relations
South Korea and Togo maintain diplomatic relations, but neither country has a resident embassy in the other's capital. The South Korean embassy in Accra, Ghana, is concurrently accredited to Togo. Likewise, Togo does not have a resident embassy in South Korea; its diplomatic affairs with South Korea are handled by the Togolese embassy in Tokyo.
In 2023, Togolese foreign minister Robert Dussey visited South Korea to discuss ways to expand cooperation in agriculture, education, information and communications technology (ICT), and energy.
In October 2023, South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo visited Lomé, Togo, where he held meetings with Togolese government officials to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, development, and economic sectors.
Additionally, in June 2024, Togolese president Faure Gnassingbé visited Seoul and held a summit with South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol, exchanging views on expanding economic cooperation and investment, as well as promoting development cooperation between the two countries.
Economic and development cooperation
South Korea has maintained development cooperation with Togo, primarily through official development assistance (ODA). This cooperation focuses on education, information and communications technology (ICT), agriculture, and regional development.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has implemented projects in Togolese local governments aimed at improving educational infrastructure and supporting digitalization.
In addition, South Korea has supported agricultural productivity and agro-processing in Togo, including projects such as the Kara region Agropol project.
See also
- Foreign relations of South Korea
- Foreign relations of Togo
References
Togo Category:Bilateral relations of Togo
Saudi Arabia–Uzbekistan relations are the bilateral diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, which were established in February 1992.
History
Saudi Arabia recognized the independence of Uzbekistan on 30 December 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in February 1992.
In April 1992, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia. In November 1992, the Consulate General of Uzbekistan began operating in Jeddah. In 1995, the Embassy of Uzbekistan was opened in Riyadh. Since 1997, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia has been operating in Tashkent.
In April 2012, a Saudi delegation led by the chairman of the Shura Council, Abdullah Al ash-Sheikh, visited Uzbekistan. In May 2017, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the invitation of King Salman, participated in the Arab Islamic–American Summit held in Saudi Arabia.
In March 2018, a Saudi delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs A. S. Mirdad took part in the Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan.
In January 2019, a delegation from Uzbekistan led by Z. Akramov, Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs under the Government of Uzbekistan, visited Saudi Arabia.
In August 2022, Mirziyoyev visited Saudi Arabia and awarded King Salman the first Order of Muhammad al-Bukhari.
On 29 September 2022, during a meeting between a Saudi delegation and Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, an agreement was reached to double the Hajj quota for citizens of Uzbekistan to 24,000 people. From 1 January 2023, Uzbekistan introduced a visa-free regime for citizens of Saudi Arabia for stays of up to 30 days.
In July 2023, the Central Asia–Gulf Cooperation Council Summit was held in Jeddah, with the participation of President Mirziyoyev.
See also
- Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia
- Foreign relations of Uzbekistan
References
Uzbekistan Category:Bilateral relations of Uzbekistan
Rwanda–South Korea relations refer to the diplomatic and bilateral relations between Rwanda and South Korea. Since the establishment of official diplomatic relations in 1963, friendly relations between the two countries have gradually expanded, particularly in the fields of politics, economic cooperation, and development cooperation.
Rwanda regards South Korea as an important partner, while South Korea views Rwanda as a strategic partner for development and economic cooperation.
History
Rwanda and South Korea first established official diplomatic relations on 21 March 1963. In 1972, South Korea opened an embassy in Kigali to strengthen bilateral ties, but it was temporarily closed in 1975 due to various circumstances.
The diplomatic mission was re-established in 1987, but it was withdrawn in November 1990. Following this, the South Korean embassy in Tanzania temporarily had jurisdiction over Rwanda.
In May 2011, South Korea resumed diplomatic activities in Kigali as a branch under the embassy in Tanzania, and in February 2012, it was officially upgraded to a full embassy in Rwanda.
Rwanda opened its embassy in Seoul in 2009, providing a direct channel for diplomatic communication and further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
In June 2024, Rwandan President Paul Kagame visited South Korea to attend the 2024 South Korea–Africa Summit held in Seoul. The summit was convened with the aim of strengthening cooperation between South Korea and African countries, and was attended by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and numerous other international leaders. During his visit, President Kagame visited Yonsei University, where he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree. On this occasion, he expressed his commitment to expanding educational and development cooperation between South Korea and Rwanda, emphasizing the potential for deepening bilateral relations.
In July of the same year, the two countries signed a development loan agreement worth USD 1 billion to support key projects in sectors such as transportation, healthcare, and education.
This agreement is aligned with Rwanda's National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and is intended to support investments over the next five years in roads, hospitals, educational infrastructure, information and communication technology, and agriculture.
Areas of Cooperation
Development Cooperation and Human Resource Development
Relations between the two countries initially began at a basic diplomatic level but gradually expanded into development cooperation and human resource development.
In particular, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), South Korea has provided support across various sectors, including information and communication technology (ICT), technical and vocational education and training (TVET), agriculture, and technology education. As of 2025, new cooperation projects are ongoing in areas such as green transportation, climate-resilient agriculture, technology, and vocational education and training.
Infrastructure and ICT Cooperation
South Korea has supported the development of Rwanda’s power supply, road networks, university infrastructure, hospitals, and TVET centers through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Export–Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM).
In addition, South Korean private companies have participated in the development of Rwanda’s digital infrastructure, contributing to ICT-based governance systems and the expansion of internet connectivity.
Trade, Investment, and Taxation Cooperation
In September 2023, the two countries signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to institutionally support South Korean investment and trade in Rwanda. The agreement sets limits on taxation for income such as dividends, interest, and royalties, and also includes provisions related to capital gains tax.
See also
- Foreign relations of Rwanda
- Foreign relations of South Korea
References
External links
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Rwanda – Official Website
- Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in South Korea – Official Website
Korea, South Category:Bilateral relations of South Korea