President CHOI Oe-chool, special meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Guinea at the K-Ricebelt Ministerial Meeting

Proposal of “Studying at YU for Guinea Civil Servants” to cultivate local “Saemaul experts”

The Minister from Guinea, “Expectation of establishment and execution of national development policy with enhancement of capability of civil servants for Saemaul”

[July 14, 2023] 

<President CHOI Oe-chool of YU (left) and Guinea Minister Mamoudou Nagnalen Berry of Agriculture and Livestock are having a special meeting to cultivate Saemaul experts>

A high-ranking official in Guinea, Africa, asked YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) for help in fostering “Saemaul experts.” On the 10th, Minister Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry of Agriculture and Livestock of Guinea met President CHOI Oe-chool of YU and held a special meeting to cultivate Saemaul experts in Guinea.

Minister Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry visited Korea to attend the Africa K-Rice Belt Agriculture Ministers' Meeting held at the JW Marriott Hotel for three days from July 9th.Ministerial-level figures from eight African countries (Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Uganda, Cameroon, Kenya), the World Food Program (WFP) Secretary-General, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) vice-president attended the meeting to have discussions on global food security and cooperation in agriculture, etc.

During this important short visit to Korea for 2 nights and 3 days, Minister Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry of Agriculture and Livestock of Guinea met President CHOI Oe-chool of YU. It indicates how important it is to nurture Saemaul experts at the national level in Guinea.

At the meeting with President Choi, Minister Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry said, “Cooperation between the two countries is necessary in various fields for the development of Guinea.Above all, it is urgent to share the ways to overcome famine in Guinea and Korea's economic development experience. Especially, I hope that YU will play a role in cultivation of Saemaul experts who will be active in Guinea.”On the request by Minister Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry, President CHOI suggested that Guinean civil servants study at YU in order to share Korea's development experience and transfer Saemaul Studies.

President CHOI said, “South Korea is the only country that has been changed from the poorest country to an advanced country. One of the driving forces is the Saemaul Undong and Saemaul development.We will actively help Guinean public officials to study “Saemaul Studies” at YU. If public officials who formulate and promote national policies deepen their understanding of Saemaul Undong, they will be able to greatly contribute to the development of Guinea. We hope that Saemaul experts who studied at YU will be able to carry out global social contribution activities along with the development of Guinea.”

Minister Mamudu Nanyangren Berry was also pleased with President CHOI’s proposal. Minister Berry said, “If Guinean civil servants with patriotism study at YU and build their competencies as Saemaul experts, they will be able to play a major role in Guinea's development. When I return to my home country, I will report the YU’s proposal to the President's Office. I will promptly take follow-up measures for mutual cooperation.”

Following the meeting between President CHOI and the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Guinea, Guinea and YU plan to discuss specific details, such as the timing and scale of the training program to nurture Saemaul experts, soon.