Mozambique and South Korea are to take a step forward in cooperation, with Korean firm Samsung establishing itself in the Africa country and Korea having an interest in Mozambique’s natural gas.

Mozambique’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Henrique Banze made the announcement in Maputo today, speaking at the arrival of Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-Sik for an official visit to strengthen ties between the two countries.

The increased cooperation is a reversal of recent history, when Mozambique’s main relations with Korea were with the regime in the north of the divided peninsula. North Korea supported for the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) during the war for Mozambican independence, and North Korean experts worked in Mozambican health and agriculture in the post-independence years.

There is an avenue in central Maputo named after the founder of the North Korean state, Kim il-Sung. Diplomatic relations with the south were only established in 1993, with an embassy planned for this year. The country is planning to increase business relationships with other Africa countries also, in the fields of education, science, technology and energy.

“Korea is one of the Asian countries that has undergone very rapid growth”, said Banze. “It had begun as an underdeveloped country, starting from much the same conditions as Mozambique today. It grew on the basis of education and knowledge, and Mozambique would like to emulate that experience.”

Kim Hwang-Sik said that South Korea was placing an emphasis on expanding its relations with Mozambique and other African countries.

“I believe we can establish mutually beneficial relations in the development of resources”, he said. “I am anxious to share the experience of Korea in supporting Mozambique’s efforts in socio-economic development.”He said that Korea is involved in setting up a professional training centre in the southern Mozambican city of Matola, and is interested in participating in projects to build roads, power stations and hospitals.