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Kenya–South Korea relations

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Kenyan–South Korean relations
Map indicating locations of Kenya and South Korea

Kenya
South Korea

Kenya–South Korea relations are bilateral relations between Kenya and South Korea.

History

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Ties between Kenya and South Korea date back to February 1964,[1] as representatives from both countries engaged in diplomatic exchanges, which marked the formal establishment of the relations.[2]

Previously to this formal diplomatic exchange, Kenya reportedly donated relief food valued at US$10,000 to the Korea shortly after gaining independence (South Korean independence). This showed Kenya's support and goodwill to support Korea during challenging times.[3] [4]

Tourism

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In 2012, 9,400 Koreans visited Kenya. That made South Korea the fourth largest source of visitors from Asia to Kenya after India, China and Japan.[1]

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, around 15,000 Korean tourists were visiting Kenya annually, and these numbers have been picking up rapidly to pre-pandemic figures.[4]

The beauty of Kenya's large African savanna, safari tours and encounters with indigenous communities have drawn these Korean travellers to visit and explore the East African nation.[3]

State visits

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In 2016, Former President Park Geun-hye of South Korea made a state visit to Kenya as part of her Africa tour.[5]

Numerous agreements were signed to improve cooperation in various fields as well as improve bilateral relations.[6]

In 2018 Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon visited Kenya. He held talks with President Kenyatta. They discussed deepening bilateral ties and increasing trade.[7]

In 2012, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik visited Kenya. He held talks with President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.[1]

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga also visited South Korea in 2012.[8] He held talks with Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik.

In November 2022, President William Ruto made a bilateral state visit to South Korea. He held talks with President Yoon Suk-yeol.[9]

Incidents

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In June 2012, Korean Air started flying from Seoul to Nairobi. To promote the launch of the flights, Korean Air's Twitter feed stated, "...Fly Korean Air and enjoy the grand African Savanna, the safari tour, and the indigenous people full of primitive energy." Kenyans expressed their anger on social media. They particularly expressed concern that the airline called them primitive. The airline later apologised over the matter, stating that the mishap was a result of a bad translation from Korean to English.[10]

In late 2014, Korean Air flights were suspended due to the West African ebola crisis. Flights resumed in July 2015.[11]

Trade

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Bilateral trade between both countries is worth KES. 30.2 billion (US$330 million). Kenya exports about KES. 2.74 billion (US$30 million) worth of goods to South Korea. South Korea exports about KES. 27.4 billion (US$300 million) worth of goods to Kenya.[12] In 2009, Kenya exported about KES. 90 million (US$1 million) worth of coffee to Korea, in 2013 the figure rose to KES. 540 million (US$6 million).[1]

Main exports from Kenya to Korea include: tobacco, coffee, scrap metal, gemstones, pyrethrum, spices, fish, wood products, handicrafts and beer.[13]

Main exports from Korea to Kenya include: iron & steel products, plastics, electrical machinery, ICT equipment, chemicals, rubber products, pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles.[13]

Both countries signed MOUs and agreements to improve trade, oversee grants and development assistance, promotion and protection of investments in Kenya and Korea and an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation.[12]

Trade between Kenya and South Korea[7] (in billions Kenyan Shillings )

2014 2015 2016 2017
Exports from Kenya 2.5 1.8 1.7 2.4
Exports from South Korea 29.1 18.8 14.2 17.5
Total trade 31.6 20.6 15.9 19.9

FDI and Infrastructure

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Many South Korean firms such as Samsung, LG and Hyundai maintain their regional headquarters in Nairobi. Samsung announced plans to set up a TV assembly plant in Kenya. In 2012, Daewoo was awarded a deal worth KES. 119 billion (US$1.3 billion) to construct a power plant in Kilifi County, Kenya.[14]

Diplomatic missions

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South Korea maintains an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Seoul,[15] which was opened in 2007.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d [1]. Relationship between South Korea, Kenya in bloom. Retrieved on 20 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Ambassador's GreetingsEmbassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Kenya". overseas.mofa.go.kr. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  3. ^ a b "The Start of a New Journey with the inaugural Korea- Africa summit". Kenya Community in Korea. 2024-02-09. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  4. ^ a b "Let's start a new journey with the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit". Nation. 2024-02-06. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  5. ^ [2]. South Korea and Turkey heads of state to visit Nairobi. Retrieved on 3 April 2017.
  6. ^ [3]. Kenya, South Korea agree to fast-track bilateral agreements. Retrieved on 3 April 2017.
  7. ^ a b [4]. South Korea joins Asian giants in race for lucrative Kenya deals. Retrieved on 7 August 2018.
  8. ^ [5] Archived 2020-11-17 at the Wayback Machine. Kenya PM back from Far East tour. Retrieved on 20 January 2015.
  9. ^ "President Ruto arrives in South Korea for 3-day State visit". Citizen Digital. 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  10. ^ [6]. Korean Air Apologizes For Calling Kenyans 'Primitive'. Retrieved on 20 January 2015.
  11. ^ "Korean Air Extends Nairobi Suspension till July 2015". Airline Route. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  12. ^ a b [7].Kenyan envoy bids farewell. Retrieved on 20 January 2015.
  13. ^ a b [8].Trade Between Kenya and South Korea. Retrieved on 20 January 2015.
  14. ^ [9]. Daewoo International signs deal to build $1.3 bln Kenyan power station. Retrieved on 20 January 2015.
  15. ^ "Kenya Embassy Seoul". www.kenya-embassy.or.kr. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
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