1. The 1st ROK-Democratic Republic of Congo Policy Consultation will take place in Seoul on February 16, with Director-General for African and Middle Eastern Affairs Kwon Hee-seog and his counterpart Louis Nkulufa Montomba Lokosu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DR Congo leading their respective delegations.

2. In the Consultation, Director-General Kwon and his counterpart Lokosu will engage in a broad exchange of views on issues of mutual concern, including facilitating high-level exchanges and economic cooperation between the two countries and other bilateral issues; cooperation in the international community; development cooperation; and the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Africa.

o Considering Korean companies’ recent participation in the development of the Musoshi copper mine in the DR Congo, the ROK side will request the DRC government’s interest and support to expand bilateral cooperation in mineral resources development.

o With the trade volume between the two countries increasing, the ROK side will especially ask for the DRC side’s cooperation for an early effectuation of the investment promotion and protection agreement between the two countries.

3. The upcoming Consultation, which marks the first Director-General-level policy consultation to be held since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1963, will be an opportunity to create a regular dialogue channel between the two countries. The Consultation is expected to strengthen the foundation for promoting friendship and cooperation between the ROK and the DRC and help expand substantive cooperation in a range of areas. 


                   Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

*unofficial translation