The Nigerian Navy and the Republic of South Korea have strengthened their bilateral relations, focusing on shipbuilding and training.
This follows a courtesy visit by the Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea, His Excellency Mr. Kim Pankyu, to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement released in late August 2024, Ambassador Kim emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between both nations, citing their shared history and existing good diplomatic relations.
He identified shipbuilding and training as key areas for mutual benefit, highlighting potential joint development in security in the Gulf of Guinea.
In his remarks, Vice Admiral Ogalla acknowledged South Korea’s participation in the Nigerian Navy’s 68th-anniversary celebrations earlier this year.
He assured the Ambassador of exploring additional areas of collaboration. He said this diplomatic engagement will foster a stronger partnership between Nigeria and South Korea, promoting cooperation and development in the maritime industry.
The Ambassador was accompanied by the South Korean Defence Attaché, Colonel Park Jong Soek, and his secretary.
Similarly, in February last year, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh, to have said this recently in Lagos when he hosted the Deputy Minister for Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs, Republic of South Korea, Choi Yeong.
Yeong was led to the visit by the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria His Excellency Kim Young Chae. Jamoh said there was a need to deepen the oven 40 years relationship between the two countries.