South Korea–Togo relations
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1963, South Korea and Togo have maintained and developed ties in various fields, including political, economic, and development cooperation.
History
South Korea and Togo officially established diplomatic relations on July 26, 1963. This coincided with a period when Togo, following its independence, was expanding diplomatic ties with Asian countries, while South Korea was gradually extending its diplomatic network in Africa.
After establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries maintained official ties. However, due to changes in the international situation and adjustments in foreign policy during the 1970s, diplomatic relations were suspended on September 17, 1974. This decision came shortly after Togolese president Gnassingbé Eyadéma visited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on September 7, 1974, for a summit with Chairman Kim Il-sung. With the end of the Cold War and changing international conditions, both countries sought to normalize relations, and diplomatic ties were resumed on January 23, 1991.
Since the 1990s, South Korea has made strengthening cooperation with African countries a key part of its foreign policy, while Togo pursued economic development and diversification of international cooperation. As a result, bilateral relations gradually recovered and developed. From the 2000s onwards, practical cooperation expanded, particularly in education, information and communications technology (ICT), and agriculture, centered on official development assistance (ODA).
In 2023, South Korea and Togo celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. On this occasion, both countries resumed high-level diplomatic exchanges and reaffirmed the deepening of cooperation in development and economic fields.
Diplomatic relations
South Korea and Togo maintain diplomatic relations, but neither country has a resident embassy in the other's capital. The South Korean embassy in Accra, Ghana, is concurrently accredited to Togo. Likewise, Togo does not have a resident embassy in South Korea; its diplomatic affairs with South Korea are handled by the Togolese embassy in Tokyo.
In 2023, Togolese foreign minister Robert Dussey visited South Korea to discuss ways to expand cooperation in agriculture, education, information and communications technology (ICT), and energy.
In October 2023, South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo visited Lomé, Togo, where he held meetings with Togolese government officials to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, development, and economic sectors.
Additionally, in June 2024, Togolese president Faure Gnassingbé visited Seoul and held a summit with South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol, exchanging views on expanding economic cooperation and investment, as well as promoting development cooperation between the two countries.
Economic and development cooperation
South Korea has maintained development cooperation with Togo, primarily through official development assistance (ODA). This cooperation focuses on education, information and communications technology (ICT), agriculture, and regional development.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has implemented projects in Togolese local governments aimed at improving educational infrastructure and supporting digitalization.
In addition, South Korea has supported agricultural productivity and agro-processing in Togo, including projects such as the Kara region Agropol project.
See also
- Foreign relations of South Korea
- Foreign relations of Togo
References
Togo Category:Bilateral relations of Togo