October 3rd is the National Foundation Day of the Republic of Korea referred as ‘Gaecheon-jeol’ meaning ‘Festival of the Opening of Heaven.’ Korean people commemorate this day for the very beginning of the Korean history and culture in 2333 B.C.
The Founding Father of the first state of Korean origin, Dangun, then chief priest and political leader, uphold the spirit of ‘Hong-ik In-gan’, a tenet that can be translated into ‘live and work for the benefit of all mankind’. Witnessing the humankind suffering from enduring conflicts, poverty, and diseases, particularly the Covid-19 pandemic in these days, this virtue looks valuable than ever.
Against this backdrop, while commemorating this auspicious day, it would be noteworthy to look through the friendship and partnership between Korea and Rwanda.
Korea-Rwanda in common features
Korea and Rwanda launched their bilateral relations in 1963 and have rejoiced in solid friendship and partnership. Particularly, similar features in the two countries have been a ground to build a mutually-beneficial relationship.
First, around 70 percent of Korea’s soil is mountainous, and Rwanda, being a land-locked country, is also known for its thousands of hills. Facing this geographical challenge, both countries put ICT and innovation on the front burner in their development strategies and have achieved tangible results.
Second, Korea and Rwanda are densely populated but have scarce natural resources. Rather than yielding to the challenges, both countries take their citizens as the key engine for development, placing great emphasis on education and human capacity-building.
Lastly, the two countries have faced daunting challenges stemming from geo-political architecture respectively, and each has a bitter sorrow in contemporary histories. For Korea, the Korean War (1950-1953) cost around 2.4 million Korean lives on the entire Korean peninsula, but Korean people rose from the ashes, and achieved dramatic development results. In Rwanda, over one million people were killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi, but Rwandan people have continued their courageous journey towards national development with reconciliation and unity, and this set a precedent for the region and beyond.
Rwanda TVET Trainer Institute supported by KOICA project, Capacity Building for Technical/Vocational and Skills Development System in Rwanda.
Key Development Cooperation
Standing on this basis, Rwanda has been one of the prior partners in Korea’s development cooperation strategy. Focusing mainly on ICT, education, and agriculture, the two countries have enhanced the results and effectiveness of development cooperation.
KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency), the representative cooperation agency of the Korean government, supported a variety of projects worth $140 million from 1991 to 2020. Its ICT, TVET, and agriculture projects have made real impacts, making development happens in the field. Korea EXIM Bank is cooperating through its EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund) on developing the infrastructure of the University of Rwanda (worth $51M), and on expanding electricity infrastructure (worth $66.2M), which contribute to Rwanda’s goal of universal access to electricity by 2024.
While keeping no ‘one-size-fits-all’ principle, Korea believes that its past experience can serve as an example and lessons-learned, and Korea and Rwanda are elaborating tailored approach that aligns with Rwanda’s development strategy and needs.
Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel NGAMIJE and H.E. Jin-weon CHAE, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea at the ceremony of delivery for medical supplies for Covid-19 response.
Solidarity against COVID-19
In the face of Covid-19, Korea and Rwanda have forged solidarity to tackle this grave health challenge. The Korean government has provided cooperation on medical supplies (KF94 airborne-particle filtering masks and Covid-19 test kits) and equipment (a mobile infection screening/testing vehicle and walk-through booths) to support Rwanda’s response to fight the pandemic.
Korea and Rwanda have been evaluated by the international community as the best-practicing countries in fighting this pandemic, and this performance would provide the two countries with future chance to cooperate in the health sector.
Future Engagement
Korea, as recipient-turned-donor, is committed to play an active role in tackling pending global challenges. Likewise, Rwanda has also taken lead in finding a continental-level solution for key issues including health, peace and security in the region. In this vein, there will be further opportunities this year to boost relevant cooperation and partnership.
The Korean government will host the ‘2021 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial (7-8 December)’ and explore ways to strengthen the result and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations. Furthermore, it plans to host the fifth ‘Korea-Africa Forum’ late this year in collaboration with the African Union, which will serve as a springboard to seek new Korea-Africa cooperation in the post-covid-19 and AfCFTA era, especially from the perspective of African partners’ needs. Korea is counting on Rwanda’s cooperation and contribution for the success of the two gatherings.
Rwanda has manifested its potential and capability for achieving sustainable development based on strong and effective leadership and good governance, and such endeavors are also enriching cooperation at the continental and international level. In this regard, Korea will continue to nurture its partnership with Rwanda to contribute to attaining its sustainable development and goals of Vision 2050, and also taking part in forging a mutually beneficial Korea-Africa partnership.