Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se has expressed hope that President Park Geun-hye's trip to Africa later this month will mark a historic milestone in establishing partnership ties with the African continent.
 
Yun made the remark during a 2016 Africa Day business networking luncheon meeting jointly hosted by the Foreign Ministry and the Federation of Korean Industries on Friday.
 
The minister said that the president's tour of Africa reflects a firm determination to consider the whole of Africa as a future-oriented win-win partner in bilateral relations.
 
Citing an African proverb, "A friend is someone you share the path with," Minister Yun emphasized that South Korea would like to share the journey of Africa realizing a blueprint for its future.
 
He said the Seoul government views Africa as a mid to long-term partner in economic cooperation and highlighted the sizable business delegation accompanying the president to Africa. 
 
President Park will embark on a three-nation African tour on May 25th. Through June first, she will visit Ethiopia, where the African Union is headquartered, as well as Kenya and Uganda.