The Embassy of Republic of Korea to Liberia has presented six brand new Hyundai Santa Fe SUV vehicles to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, valued at nearly US$133,000.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the vehicles were presented to Acting Foreign Minister B. Elias Shoniyin by South Korean Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Noh Kyu-duk, on the grounds of the Foreign Ministry on Thursday, June 23, 2016.

Speaking at the turn-over ceremony, South Korean Ambassador Kyu-duk, who is two day short of a year since he became a full-fledged Ambassador and accredited to Liberia, said this presentation was in fulfillment of a promised made to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf when he presented his Letters of Credence that his government would provide some vehicles to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He indicated that his government, through the embassy, is engaged in many activities in the area of development cooperation here in Liberia and will continue to provide such support and assistance. The South Korean Ambassador highlighted a request made by the president of Liberia’s Post-Graduate Medical Council, who during a visit to Seoul, South Korea recently, pleaded for support to the institute to strengthen the training of resident doctors.

Ambassador Kyu-duk committed that by 2018, South Korea will undertake a multi-million dollar project on behalf of Liberia’s Post-Graduate Medical Council.

He also highlighted his embassy’s intervention at the University of Liberia, including 350 refurbished computers waiting to be exported to Liberia once the necessary formalities are concluded.   

The South Korean Ambassador also emphasized the enhanced cooperation in the area of multilateral diplomacy and extolled Liberia’s support to his country in this regard.

In response, Acting Foreign Minister Shoniyin thanked the South Korean diplomat for his government’s assistance to the Liberia. He pointed out that Ambassador Kyu-duk’s, who is resident in Abuja, Nigeria, frequent visits to Monrovia signifies that Liberia-South Korea relations have taken on a new dimension; noting that since he took up his assignment, he continues to make his presence felt.

“Without any prejudice, among our non-resident missions accredited to Liberia, South Korea has been a lot more engaging,” Acting Minister Shoniyin emphasized.

He indicated that the South Korean Ambassador’s presence is not only felt at the government level, but also at the local level, citing the Ambassador’s contribution to the health sector, University of Liberia, among others.

Minister Shoniyin informed the South Korean Ambassador that government is working towards the appointment of an Honorary Consul to South Korea shortly; however in the interim, one of Liberia’s missions near South Korea will have concurrent accreditation there until government can establish a full-fledged mission there. He promised to consult with Ambassador Kyu-duk on how to proceed in this regard.