Monrovia, Liberia – The governments of Liberia and South Korea marked the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with a grand ceremony held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (EJS) Ministerial Complex in Congo Town on November 10, 2024. The event was graced by high-level officials, diplomats, and representatives from various sectors, reflecting on the enduring and evolving partnership between the two nations.
Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave a keynote presentation that emphasized the importance of redefining the relationship between Liberia and South Korea in order to better meet the problems of the present and the future.
Foreign Minister Nyanti emphasized how crucial it is to use the two nations’ shared past to build a more robust and vibrant bilateral relationship.
The 60th anniversary, according to Foreign Minister Nyanti, is a chance to set a new direction for the partnership between South Korea and Liberia as well as to commemorate past accomplishments. She underlined how important it is to build around the principles of respect for one another, collaboration, and common goals.
“The bonds between South Korea and Liberia have endured over the years. In order to create a future that will really benefit our citizens, it is imperative that we consider our common past as we commemorate this milestone. In order to meet new problems and take advantage of fresh chances for growth and development, we must reinterpret our collaboration.”
Along with reaffirming Liberia’s support for peace initiatives on the Korean Peninsula, the Dean of the Cabinet also emphasized that Liberia supports South Korea’s efforts to improve regional stability and security.
Foreign Minister Nyanti conveyed the sincere appreciation of the South Korean government and people for their consistent support of Liberia’s progress over the last 60 years on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. In particular, she emphasized South Korea’s contributions to infrastructure development, health, and education, all of which have significantly improved the lives of Liberians.
Foreign Minister Nyanti reiterated that Liberia is willing to work with South Korea to investigate new areas of collaboration, especially in the fields of commerce, investment, and innovation. In order to build a cooperation that benefits both countries’ economy and promotes regional and international peace and prosperity, she urged them to capitalize on their common values and goals.
“The next chapter of our relationship must be defined by innovation, resilience, and a shared commitment to the progress of our peoples. Let us work together to ensure that the bonds of friendship between Liberia and South Korea continue to grow stronger in the years ahead. South Korea has been a consistent partner in our development agenda, providing critical assistance and expertise in areas that have transformed our communities and strengthened our economy. We look forward to deepening this collaboration, especially in sectors like technology, agriculture, and human capital development, as we work together to achieve sustainable development.”
Ambassador Pankyu Kim, the South Korean ambassador to Liberia, said he was happy to celebrate this important turning point in the two countries’ relationship. The 60th anniversary, according to him, is evidence of the solid and long-lasting relationship that has grown between the two nations over the previous 60 years.
The strong economic and cultural links that have developed between South Korea and Liberia were emphasized by Ambassador Kim. He pointed out that the relationship has developed from simple diplomatic contacts to a full-fledged collaboration that includes people-to-people interactions, capacity building, and economic cooperation.
“Our partnership with Liberia has grown in depth and breadth, encompassing various sectors such as agriculture, education, and trade,” Ambassador Kim said. “We have witnessed remarkable progress in our bilateral ties, and as we celebrate this milestone, we also look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead, rooted in our shared history and mutual aspirations.”
In Liberia’s agricultural sector, where the introduction of new technology and farming practices has led to higher production and improved livelihoods for many Liberian farmers, the South Korean Ambassador emphasized the important influence of South Korean knowledge. With an emphasis on fostering economic expansion and sustainable development in Liberia, he reaffirmed his government’s commitment to deepening this collaboration.
“As we move forward, South Korea remains dedicated to supporting Liberia’s development agenda. We are committed to exploring new avenues of collaboration, particularly in areas such as renewable energy, digital transformation, and capacity building, to help drive Liberia’s economic growth and enhance the well-being of its people.”
In addition to speeches and formal declarations, the 60th anniversary celebration featured lively cultural performances that highlighted the rich histories of both countries. The National Cultural Troupe of Liberia showcased the country’s many cultural manifestations while entertaining the audience with traditional dances and songs. The audience’s overwhelming acclaim for the performances demonstrated how much they valued the creative representation of Liberia’s cultural identity.
Korean artist Shin Yujin and the musical ensemble Daehan Saram entered the stage, enthralling the crowd with a fusion of contemporary pop songs and traditional Korean music, adding an international touch to the occasion. Their performances served as a representation of the close cultural bonds and respect that have grown over time between the peoples of South Korea and Liberia.
The event’s atmosphere of solidarity and mutual joy was emphasized by the cultural acts, which also demonstrated how important cultural exchanges have been in promoting greater mutual understanding and goodwill between the two nations.
Both Minister Nyanti and Ambassador Kim were upbeat about the future of South Korea-Liberia ties as the event came to an end. In order to jointly face new global problems, they underlined the significance of building on the tremendous progress accomplished over the previous 60 years.
