Prime Minister Gaston Browne, recently received the Republic of Korea (South Korea) new non-resident Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, Kim Byung-yun during a diplomatic visit to the island.
PM Browne held the introductory meeting with the Korean Ambassador in his office at the Parliament Building on Thursday.
Ambassador Kim Byung-yun expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Browne and his delight in experiencing the island of Antigua. Ambassador Kim went on to describe how enchanting the island is and how pleasant his stay has been thus far.
Antigua and Barbuda-Korea relations can be described as excellent and long-lasting, given that the two countries formally established diplomatic relations at the non-residential level on November 1, 1981.
In turn, Prime Minister Browne welcomed the Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, wished him well in his new appointment, and pledge to strengthen relations between both countries. PM Browne went on to congratulate the visiting diplomat on his country’s successful and historic peace agreement with their neighboring country. The Prime Minister used the opportunity to present an official congratulatory letter to President Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea. In the letter, PM Browne stated: “Please accept my warmest congratulations on the historic Summit between yourself and the leader of North Korea. Your bold leadership on this difficult and complex international issue has opened a path for peace and pulled world affairs back from the brink of nuclear disaster.”
The Prime Minister went on to express that: “The historic event on April 27th 2018 was witnessed globally and my Government was indeed pleased to see the success of international diplomacy as a shining example to other troubled parts of the world.”
PM Browne communicated that South Korea is a significant partner for Antigua and Barbuda. Browne expressed appreciation for 37 years of diplomatic relations between both countries and for the level of support and cooperation that presently exists. South Korea was the first country to recognize Antigua and Barbuda as a sovereign state.
Throughout the discussions between Prime Minister Browne and visiting Ambassador Kim, Browne articulated that Antigua and Barbuda will be seeking to develop cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, cultural exchanges and people to people exchange.
Prime Minister Browne and Ambassador Kim agreed to focus on areas of cooperation, including introducing Korean culture to Antigua and Barbuda such as Korean tv programs to heightened the visibility of Antigua and Barbuda in Korea and vice versa. Ambassador Kim believes that this idea could lead to the creation of Korean tourist arrivals in Antigua and the wider region. Deepening the relationship where trade is concern was another focal point of the bilateral discussions on Thursday.
Ambassador Colin Murdoc, also present in the meeting, highlighted The Republic of Korea’s advancement in Technology, especially in developing smart class rooms. PM Browne proposed to the Korean Ambassador that Antigua and Barbuda has a new physical School that would welcome the development of such a classroom as a flagship program.
PM Browne also expressed appreciation for the support over the years provided by the Government of the Republic of Korea especially in provision of Protocol vehicles for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and buses for the disabled for the Ministry of Social Transformation.
During his visit to Antigua and Barbuda, Kim Byung-yun presented his credentials to the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda’s Deputy Sir Clare Roberts KCN, QC, paid courtesy calls E.P Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Immigration, and other senior officials within the Ministry.
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