Zambia – Korea relations

ZMKR
ZMKR
Avatar of Linda Hohnholz
Written by Linda Hohnholz

Zambia’s Ambassador to Korea, Mumba S.

Zambia’s Ambassador to Korea, Mumba S. Kapumpa S.C presented his Credentials to Her Excellency Madam Park Guen-Hue in Seoul at Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), which is the Executive Office and Official Residence of the Korean Head of State, on 12th September 2014 thus officially starting his mission as the country’s first resident Ambassador accredited to the Republic of Korea.

Ambassador Kapumpa presented his Letter of Credence accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Zambia to the Republic of Korea as well as the Letter of Recall of the Zambian Ambassador to Japan who was accredited to the Republic of Korea on a non-residential basis in a brief ceremony. The Ambassador was accompanied by the First Secretary for Tourism Mrs Nthemba Kamanga Minja and the First Secretary for Administration Mr. Elias Champemba who form part of the 5 person embassy staff.

In a short meeting held in the Audience Room at the Blue House after the ceremony, President Park Guen-Hue said she was delighted that the embassy had opened in June 2014. She welcomed Ambassador Kapumpa to Korea and said she looks forward to the efforts that will be made to further strengthen relations between the two countries.

She noted that Korea depends largely on imported materials and hopes for highly beneficial cooperation between the two countries to enable Korea to contribute to Zambiaโ€™s economic development as Zambia is endowed with many natural resources.

President Park Guen-Hue stated that she was pleased to note that Zambia has been supporting Korea in elections in various International bodies. She said the two countries get along well and she looked forward to the continued good relations.
๏ฟผ๏ฟผ
Ambassador Kapumpa said the opening of an Embassy in Seoul is a fulfilment of the promise that His Excellency, Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic Of Zambia made in 2012 when he paid a courtesy call on the President of Korea. He stated that this development would further strengthen relations that exist between the two countries economically, politically and socially for the mutual benefit of the two peoples of Korea and Zambia.

He added that Zambia stood ready to benefit from Koreaโ€™s position as a technologically advanced, economic and industrial giant in electronics, motor vehicles, telecommunications and construction industries. He added that products from the Republic of Korea were also renowned the world over in terms of durability and reliability.

He said Zambia is endowed with abundant natural resources such as minerals, fresh water and wildlife which Korea could take advantage of to set up manufacturing industries and factories for the mutual benefit of the two peoples. Zambiaโ€™s tourist attractions are second to none and includes the Victoria Falls, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. He expressed hope and enthusiasm that the opening of the Embassy in Seoul will further enrich the two well preserved cultures in their respective countries through arts and culture exchanges.

Ambassdor Kapumpa mentioned that Zambia is strategically positioned as a โ€˜land linked countryโ€™ as opposed to โ€˜landlockedโ€™ and it could be used as a springboard to reach out to other markets in southern, central and eastern African countries. Her Excellency Madam Park Guen-Hue was informed that Zambia has always enjoyed peace and has never experienced political and civil turmoil since gaining independence in 1964.
Ambassador Kapumpa offered sympathy for the victims of the Sewol ferry incident in April and expressed confidence that Korea and its people will be able to overcome this tragedy.

Ambassador Kapumpa arrived on 2nd August 2014 to take up his first posting as Ambassador and set up Zambia’s very first Embassy in the Republic of Korea. Before presenting his Credentials, Ambassador Kapumpa had been able to meet, consistent with protocol, high ranking officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Korea including Mr. Jonghyun Choe, the Deputy Minister (Chief of Protocol), Mr. Lee Kyoung-dock, The Director, Division of Africa and Ambassador Desmond Akawor, Ambassador of Nigeria and The Dean of African Group of Ambassadors.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...