Korean mayor calls on President Michel
The Mayor of the Korean city of Daejeon, who is in Seychelles at the invitation of President James Michel, called on him at State House yesterday.
Park Seoung-hyo was accompanied on his visit by Seychelles’ honorary consul in South Korea, Dong Chang Jeong, and 18 journalists from the main broadcasting systems and newspapers there.
After meeting the President, Mr Seoung-hyo was presented with two giant tortoises – a male of 80 years and a 95-year-old female – by Joel Morgan, Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Transport.
The two animals are a gift Mr Michel promised to Daejeon city during his visit there in October last year when he addressed a conference on combating climate change through technology.
“This gesture symbolises the friendship and good cooperation that exist between Seychelles and Daejeon and Korea,” said Mr Seoung-hyo.
He said they also discussed ways to take the cooperation between the two cities and countries to greater heights.
“Since Korea has lots of expertise in information technology, we can share our expertise with your country,” he added.
Strengthening cooperation between the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) and the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), as well as the field of aeronautics, were other issues discussed with the President.
Mr Morgan said the two giant tortoises signify the long life and healthy relations between the two countries.
“The tortoise has a long lifespan and is an animal that takes time to develop, which are characteristics of our relationship,” he said.
“Our relations develop slowly but surely, and we hope they last and remain healthy.”
Mr Seoung-hyo and SBC managing director Antoine Onezime signed a memorandum of understanding recently to broadcast KBS television programmes locally.
Yesterday afternoon the Korean delegation met the Minister for Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Vincent Meriton, and the mayor of Victoria Marie Antoinette Alexis.
Daejeon is South Korea’s fifth largest city and is known as the capital of science and technology. It has a population of 1.5 million.
The delegation arrived here last Friday and is due to leave tomorrow.
Source: NATION 3-2-10