The Korean community in Uganda on Tuesday, October 3 celebrated its National Foundation and Armed Forces Day in a function presided over by H.E. Park Sung-soo, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Uganda at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.
Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mr Thomas Tayebwa delivered a keynote speech at a function where several government officials such as State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, among others were invited.
Speaking to invited guests, the Ambassador noted that the event also marked the last day of the long Thanksgiving holidays called “Chuseok” in Korea, before congratulating Uganda for winning a joint bid to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) together with Kenya and Tanzania.
According to H.E. Park Sung-soo, the day also marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Uganda.
“Looking back over the past 60 years, I think our two countries have managed to maintain good relations. There were mutual visits by both presidents in 2013 and 2016 respectively. We have had moderate trade and investment relations and relatively big-sized development cooperation in place,” he said.
“The Korean government is making every effort to bridge the development divide, climate divide, and digital divide, so as to finally reduce income and wealth inequality in the world with our own African Development Cooperation Strategy,” he added.
On his part, Tayebwa lauded Korea for supporting peace in Africa, through its participation in peacekeeping operations in South Sudan and the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).
“We hope for closer collaboration during this period on the African peace and security matters on the Council’s agenda, especially the Greatlakes region and the Horn of Africa,” Tayebwa said on Tuesday.
The Deputy Speaker also expressed Uganda’s readiness to participate in the upcoming Korea – Africa Summit slated for June, 2024.
The National Foundation and Armed Forces Day is one of their most important annual events where they commemorate the beginning of their nation and history that dates more than 4,300 years ago.
