South Africa–South Korea relations are the bilateral relations between South Africa and South Korea. During the 1950s, two countries fought together during the Korean War under the United Nations Command.[1][2][3] Formal diplomatic relations began on December 1, 1992.[4] The two governments signed accords regulating taxes, aviation, and investment.[5] High-level visits followed. In July 1995, South African President Nelson Mandela visited Seoul to meet with South Korean president Kim Young-sam.[4] To institutionalize these visits, in 1997 the two nations agreed to hold regular Policy Consultative Meetings,[6] where working groups focused on particular subjects of the relationship convene to negotiate shared rules and regulations.
[4] In 2005, Seoul hosted the Korea–South Africa Joint Committee on Science and Technology to promote cross-border scientific collaboration.[7]
South Africa is South Korea’s largest African trading partner, and South Korea is South Africa’s fourth largest Asian trading partner.[4] South Africa largely exports unprocessed minerals, like ferro-chromium or platinum; semi-processed inputs like steel; and foodstuffs like sugar.[4]
Two growing areas of modern exchange include green energy, where South Korean and South African firms exchange solar energy and rare earth elements,[8]
and bilateral investment.
