Prime Minister Han Concludes Tour of France and Africa, Efforts to Host Busan Expo

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, upon returning from his France-Africa tour to garner support for the Busan World Expo bid on the 3rd (local time), stated, "I will make our country respected worldwide."

That night in Accra, the capital of Ghana, Prime Minister Han said on Facebook, "I promised the compatriots I met (locally) that 'I will definitely make our country respected worldwide,'" adding, "I will work even harder keeping those words in mind."

He also said, "To the children of the compatriots, I urged them, 'Your motherland, the Republic of Korea, is becoming the best country in the world every day, so listen well to your teachers and parents and grow up healthy.'"

Regarding his meeting the previous day with Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, Prime Minister Han said, "I told President Akufo-Addo that 'through the Busan Expo, we will share Korea's development experience' and asked for his support," adding, "President Akufo-Addo agreed, saying 'Korea is a good model.'"

Prime Minister Han also said, "I met students at a Korean school in the coastal city of Tema, Ghana," and added, "Just like the schools I attended in the past in our country, bright students were diligently studying Hangul in classrooms with school bells." He further mentioned, "As the last schedule of my visit to Ghana, I visited the Multinational Maritime Coordination Center (MMCC Zone-F), which conducts anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea, and expressed gratitude for protecting Korean vessels."

Prime Minister Han, departing for home through Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, will arrive at Incheon International Airport around 8 a.m. on the 5th after transiting through Paris. During this 8-day, 4-night tour, he requested support for the Busan Expo bid from heads of state of various countries and emphasized the need for cooperation in resource development with African nations.