Draft:Gabon–South Korea relations

Gabon–South Korea relations

Gabon	South Korea
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Gabon, Seoul	Embassy of South Korea, Libreville
Envoy
Ambassador of Gabon to South Korea	Ambassador of South Korea to Gabon

Gabon–South Korean relations are the bilateral relations between Gabon and South Korea. Gabon has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Libreville.

History

The Republic of Gabon and South Korea established official diplomatic relations on October 1, 1962.

During the 1960s and 1970s, South Korea, under President Park Chung Hee, sought to expand its diplomatic presence in Africa to counter North Korea’s growing influence. Gabon, led by President Omar Bongo who came to power in 1967, maintained balanced relations with both Koreas but gradually leaned toward South Korea due to its economic and technical development support.

In 1975, President Omar Bongo paid an official visit to Seoul, marking one of the earliest high-level exchanges between South Korea and a Central African nation.

In August 1982, South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan visited Gabon as part of a wider African diplomatic tour that included visits to Nigeria, Kenya, and Senegal. The visit aimed to enhance economic cooperation and gather international support for South Korea’s bid to host the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

Following the end of the Cold War, South Korea emphasized economic diplomacy and development partnerships with African nations, including Gabon. In 1995, then-Special Envoy Ban Ki-moon visited Libreville to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

In the 2000s, multiple ministerial-level exchanges took place. In 2004, Gabonese Foreign Minister Jean Ping visited South Korea, followed by visits from Gabonese trade and industry officials in subsequent years.

South Korea has continued to deepen relations with Gabon in the 2010s and 2020s. In 2011, South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan visited Gabon to discuss energy and infrastructure collaboration. Gabonese students have also received scholarships to attend South Korean universities under cultural and educational cooperation programs.

As of 2023, economic ties have strengthened, with trade focused on machinery, minerals, and transportation equipment. South Korea has also provided Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Gabon in fields such as healthcare and education.

Trade relations

Trade relations between Gabon and South Korea have developed steadily since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1962. Gabon, endowed with abundant natural resources, has been a valuable trade partner for South Korea, particularly in the areas of energy and raw materials.

Gabonese exports to South Korea

Gabon mainly exports the following commodities to South Korea:

• Crude oil – Gabon is one of the smaller oil-producing countries in Africa, and oil remains the backbone of its exports.
• Manganese ore – Essential for steel production and used increasingly in battery technologies.
• Timber and tropical hardwood – Sourced from Gabon’s dense rainforests, exported for furniture and construction.

These exports support South Korea’s heavy industries, particularly steel manufacturing and energy sectors.

South Korean exports to Gabon

South Korea exports a range of manufactured goods and technology to Gabon, including:

• Automobiles and auto parts
• Consumer electronics and home appliances – Products from South Korean companies like Samsung and LG are commonly found in Gabonese markets.
• Heavy machinery and construction equipment – Used in Gabon’s infrastructure and mining sectors.
• Refined petroleum and industrial chemicals

These exports assist Gabon's ongoing modernization and infrastructure development.

Economic cooperation and investment

Beyond trade, the two countries have expanded cooperation in investment and development. South Korean companies have participated in:

• Infrastructure and construction projects in Gabonese urban areas.
• Renewable energy initiatives and feasibility studies for hydroelectric and solar power.
• ICT and digital development, including e-governance solutions.

Gabon has welcomed South Korean expertise as part of its strategy to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil exports.

Trade volume

Trade between Gabon and South Korea remains relatively modest in absolute terms, but both sides have expressed interest in increasing bilateral economic engagement. The trade volume is influenced by global commodity prices, especially oil and manganese, and by large-scale infrastructure projects financed with foreign capital.

Future prospects

Both countries have expressed commitment to deepening economic ties. Areas of potential growth include:

• Green technology and renewable energy
• Smart agriculture and agri-tech solutions
• Education, vocational training, and technology transfer
• Logistics and maritime cooperation via Port-Gentil and Korean shipping lines

These initiatives align with Gabon’s national development strategy and South Korea’s broader outreach to African markets.

See also

• Foreign relations of Gabon
• Foreign relations of South Korea

References

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Categories:

• Gabon–South Korea relations
• Foreign relations of Gabon
• Foreign relations of South Korea