한·앙골라 관계 전망 - 수교 30주년 및 새로운 30년을 위해 - = Prospect for the ROK-Angola Relationship: 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relationship and for Another 30 years

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This year marks 30th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between the Republic of Korea and Angola. Geographically, two countries are located far apart, but both have experienced a sad history of colonization and civil war, which makes them sympathize each other, overcoming the physical distance.
Angola, even after achieving independence after 400 years of Portuguese rule in 1975, had went through 27 years of civil war. As a result, most of the country was annihilated. The Dos Santos Administration, inaugurated in 2002 after the civil war, decided to take a pragmatic diplomacy to rebuild the country based on the vast natural resources such as petroleum and diamond. This strategy made Angola enjoy rapid economic development until mid-2010. Nevertheless, with the downfall of the oil price since mid-2010, Angola has suffered years of economic recession. Recently, with the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of oil price due to the Russia-Ukraine war, its economy is slowly being recovered.
The Lourenco administration which started in 2017 after 40 years of Dos Santos’ rule, has actively pursued anti-corruption, economic diversification, and privatization campaign. At the same time, the new administration has put much effort to become a regional power by chairing at various regional and international organizations.
Since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship in 1992, the Republic of Korea and Angola has developed its bilateral ties in all areas including political, economic, and trade. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Angola has been executing numerous economic cooperation projects to contribute to the development of Angola. Also, the Embassy hosted many cultural event to spread the so-called “K-Wave”. Especially, as the Korean government is planning to host “Korea-Africa Summit” in 2024, we expect both countries to further develop its bilateral relationship in reciprocical and future-oriented way.