Latest news with #Egypt-Korea
Al-Ahram Weekly
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egyptian student wins Quiz on Korea during Egypt-Korea diplomatic ties celebrations - City Lights - Life & Style
Amid the Egypt-Korea celebrations of 30-year diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of Ain Shams University's Korean Language and Literature Department, Rawan Hamed, a third-year university student, won Egypt's preliminary contest 'Quiz on Korea,' earning a spot in September's global finals. The embassy of South Korea in Egypt hosted the 2025 Quiz on Korea event at Ain Shams University on 29 June, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Egypt and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean Language and Literature Department at Ain Shams University. The Quiz on Korea was held in collaboration with the Faculty of Al-Alsun, Ain Shams University. The event is a global quiz competition co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Korea and the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) to raise international interest in Korea. During the contest, participants answer questions covering a wide range of topics, including Korean history, culture, language, and traditions. Contestants had registered in advance through an online application process. The winner of the competition will be invited to Korea as an Egyptian representative to compete in the global final round in September. The grand finale will be broadcast as a KBS special programme on 5 October. The Egypt preliminary consisted of three rounds: OX (true/false), multiple choice, and short-answer questions. At the end of the contest, Hamed emerged as the champion and will represent Egypt in the final round in Korea. Participants at the 2025 Quiz on the Korea global quiz competition. Over 100 guests attended the event, including participants and the audience. Spectators expressed their admiration for the participants' passion and knowledge of Korea, noting that the event inspired them to learn more about Korean culture and history. In his welcoming remarks, Korean Ambassador to Egypt Kim Yonghyon expressed delight in hosting the Quiz on Korea event, highlighting the strong friendship and partnership between Korea and Egypt. 'The cultural and people-to-people exchanges serve as vital bridges of understanding between the two peoples,' he emphasized. He also expressed his gratitude to all participants and attendees for their enthusiasm and contributions to deepening bilateral cultural exchange. The event also featured celebratory performances by Ain Shams University's student Samulnori club and choir, adding a festive atmosphere to the occasion. In addition, a special Korea-Egypt quiz show was held for the audience, offering an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Korea and the various activities of the Korean embassy. 'Our two nations share strong ties, reflected in the Korean department where students act as cultural ambassadors. The Quiz on Korea is not only a test of knowledge, but also a celebration of our shared passion for Korean culture and cross-cultural connection,' Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun Prof. Salwa Rashad stated in her opening remarks. Salwa Rashad, Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun, with Ambassador of Korea to Egypt Kim Yonghyon at Ain Shams University. The Korean ambassador seized the opportunity to announce a series of cultural events planned throughout the year in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties. These include the touring K-Arts Fusion Gugak concert scheduled to take place at the American University in Cairo on 26 August, a classical music concert, a Samulnori (Korean traditional percussion music) concert, and a Taekwondo demonstration by the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) team. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Korea Herald
19-02-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
'Egypt gateway for Korean defense exports, trade to Middle East, Africa'
Egyptian ambassador stresses deeper mutual benefits of defense, infrastructure and industrial cooperation between Seoul, Cairo Egypt's strategic location and growing defense industry position it as a key partner for South Korea to expand its military exports into the Middle East and Africa, according to Egyptian Ambassador to Korea Khaled Abdel Rahman. In an interview with The Korea Herald ahead of the 30th anniversary of Egypt-Korea diplomatic ties, Rahman emphasized the mutual benefits of deeper defense cooperation. Egypt and South Korea established diplomatic ties on April 13, 1995, with embassies in Cairo and Seoul. Egypt views South Korea's rapid post-war development — fueled by International Monetary Fund and World Bank support and leveraging low-cost labor for exports — as an economic model for its own growth, often referred to as the "Miracle on the Han River." In 2022, South Korea designated Egypt as an official development assistance priority partner to strengthen the African country's industry and secure major manufacturing contracts. Egypt is rapidly expanding its military capabilities and tightening control over strategic sectors. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, between 2015 and 2019, the country was the third-largest global importer of weapons, sourcing from Germany, Russia, France and China. The Global Defense Market Yearbook 2022 also ranked Egypt third in global arms imports from 2017 to 2021, with a 5.7 percent market share. 'Egypt's decision to procure K9A1 howitzers and K11 vehicles reflects the high level of trust we place in South Korea's defense capabilities,' according to Rahman, referring to a 2022 contract with South Korean company Hanwha Systems. Hanwha Systems exported two core systems — the fire command system for the K11 Fire Command Armored Vehicle and the fire control system for the K9A1 self-propelled howitzer — to Egypt. The deal was reportedly worth 2 trillion won ($1.39 billion). The move shows Cairo's confidence in South Korea's defense capabilities and opens avenues for deeper military cooperation, he said. 'With growing security challenges in the Middle East and Africa, demand for cost-effective and technologically advanced defense systems is increasing,' according to Rahman. South Korean expertise meets Egypt's evolving military needs, he stressed. Two memorandums of understanding were signed for defense industry cooperation and logistics support, alongside agreements on joint research and development and military expertise exchange, according to Rahman. He said that although Egypt is set to expand defense manufacturing through local production and technology transfer, fostering self-reliance, Egypt-Korea bilateral trade hit approximately $3 billion in recent years, with infrastructure, renewable energy, electronics, manufacturing and automobiles as key sectors. Korea is supporting Egypt's El-Dabaa nuclear power plant, with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power building turbines in partnership with Egypt's Petrojet, while a Korean shipbuilding company is constructing a shipyard near the Suez Canal to boost maritime infrastructure. In 2022, KHNP signed an agreement with Rosatom's Atomstroyexport (ASE) to build 82 facilities, including turbine buildings, water treatment and air conditioning systems, for Egypt's first nuclear power plant in El Dabaa. The $30 billion project, commissioned by Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority, will include four reactors with a combined capacity of 1,200 megawatts, constructed by ASE. Construction is expected to be completed by 2030 and the first reactor is set to begin commercial operations in 2028. 'South Korea's cumulative investments in Egypt stand at nearly $800 million, reflecting growing economic ties,' he said. South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics has invested $700 million in Egypt to establish a manufacturing facility, marking its first production plant in the Middle East and Africa. Located in the Beni Suef industrial complex, the new factory is set to position Egypt as a regional export hub, supplying products to 55 countries across the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Rahman noted that 85 percent of the factory's TV screens are exported to over 55 countries. Since 2015, Samsung has led engineering exports. The factory is expected to create 5,000 jobs in Upper Egypt, Rahman told The Korea Herald citing Egyptian media reports. Upper Egypt refers to the southern Nile region, characterized by a desert climate with red, sandy soil. The ancient Egyptians called the region as Deshret, meaning Red Land, due to its proximity to the Sahara Desert. Beyond these ongoing projects, Rahman sees immense untapped potential in Egypt as a strategic trade gateway to Africa and the Middle East. Experts suggest Egypt can serve as a gateway to Middle Eastern and North African markets, with Korean companies leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, or AfCFTA. The agreement covers the largest free trade area in the world, encompassing 54 of the African Union's 55 countries, representing 1.3 billion people and a combined gross domestic product of $3.4 trillion. 'We encourage even greater involvement, particularly in technology, logistics and industrial automation,' he said, adding that Egypt's Vision 2030, an ambitious national development blueprint, aligns with South Korea's expertise in smart infrastructure, digital governance and industrial innovation. The envoy also pointed out that collaboration with South Korea in renewable energy, artificial intelligence and vocational training is critical for Egypt's future workforce. 'South Korea's rapid technological and industrial advancement serves as an excellent model for Egypt's economic transformation and Korea's expertise positions Egypt as a regional hub for innovation and advanced industries.
