At audience in Yaounde: Minister Bidoung Mkpatt lauds South Korea’s contributions to Cameroon’s cultural dev’t.

This was during an audience granted to the Ambassador of South Korea to Cameroon, Nam Ki-Wook.

Minister Bidoung Mkpatt reiterated that the visit by the South Koreans mark a celebration of fraternity and cooperation between the two countries.

“I thank you for accepting to meet those that are the corner stones for the implementation of the cooperation between our two countries in the domains of arts and culture. This audience is for us to express our gratitude for all the efforts that you have done,” Bidoung Mkpatt declared.

He also seized the opportunity to acknowledge and encourage the intensity of the cooperation between Cameroon and South Korea.

The arts and culture boss assured the delegation from South Korean that on her part, Cameroon will do its utmost best to maintain the friendly ties between the nations.

He thanked the Ambassador and his team for their kind words towards the ministry that is tirelessly working to enhance cultural cooperation between Yaounde and Seoul.

Enter South Korean Ambassador

On his part, the Ambassador of South Korea to Cameroon, Nam Ki-Wook, appreciated Minster Bidoung Mkpatt for the warm welcome. He also commended the Minister for arranging the wonderful meeting.

“The purpose of today was to share and discuss on how to develop our bilateral relationship through cultural exchange between our countries. I expressed my wish and will to the Minister about our countries sharing experiences and best practices,” Nam stated. 

He added that Cameroon and South Korea already share a strong relationship that is over six decades old. Nam said although Cameroon and South Korea have collaborated and developed a lot together, there are still a lot of cooperation avenues ahead for both countries to further grow as friends.

“One of the best ways to improve on our friendly ties is to enhance our cultural exchanges. By doing so, we can deepen the mutual understanding between us and our friendship,” Nam said.

Cameroon-South Korea relations

According to the South Korean delegation, Cameroon remains one of their most cherished partner and friendly nation.

On their part, the Ministry of Arts and Culture, MINAC, presented a host of activities, especially in the domains of arts and culture that have helped bridge the gap between Cameroon and South Korea.

MINAC cited the Korean study center in Cameroon dubbed Korea Corner, the co-organisation of artistic and cultural activities by both countries, performance of Cameroonian artists in Korea and vice versa, reciprocal government consultations, mutual working visits and the signing of bilateral agreements on several domains, as some areas of collaboration between both countries.

The ministry equally presented ongoing projects, notably the Korean Cultural Partnership Initiative Demand Survey and the Korean 2025, KPSC Programme Demand Survey, geared towards improving bilateral ties between Cameroon and South Korea.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3166 of Friday July 11, 2024