Envoy: Media role key in Dar-Seoul ties

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Republic of Korean Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Eunju Ahn, has emphasised the vital role of the media in strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering mutual growth between the two countries.

During her visit to the Tanzania Standard (Newspapers) Limited (TSN) headquarters in Dar es Salaam on Monday, Ambassador Ahn highlighted how the media serves as a strategic tool for showcasing the successes of bilateral collaboration and laying the groundwork for future opportunities.

She noted that both Tanzania and the Republic of Korea increasingly rely on media platforms to amplify their cooperation efforts, celebrate shared achievements and inspire further engagement.

“The media is a key instrument in demonstrating how our cooperation is progressing and reflecting the strength of our relationship,” Ambassador Ahn said.

The meeting between Ambassador Ahn and TSN’s management team focused on exploring opportunities for collaboration in key areas such as development initiatives, cultural exchange and public diplomacy.

Ms Ahn stressed that media coverage significantly influences public perception, which in turn plays a pivotal role in enhancing diplomatic relations.

“When we report back to our ministers and the President in the Republic of Korea, we highlight how our nation is perceived in Tanzania.

It is crucial for them to see the tangible outcomes of our efforts here and media plays an indispensable role in that process,” she said.

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She added that showcasing the positive impact of the Republic of Korea’s involvement in Tanzania serves to reinforce the importance of continued investment and engagement between the two nations.

Reflecting on the Republic of Korea’s transformative journey from one of the world’s poorest countries in the 1960s to a global economic powerhouse, Ms Ahn said there are valuable lessons that Tanzania can draw from the Seol’s experience.

“Republic of Korea’s development journey is one we are eager to share with Tanzania.

We believe that our experiences in industrialisation, education and infrastructure development can offer valuable insights for Tanzania’s growth,” she explained.

Beyond development, Ambassador Ahn highlighted emerging areas of collaboration such as entertainment and aviation industries, noting significant potential for growth.

“Tanzania has shown strong interest in partnering with Republic of Korea in sectors like entertainment and aviation. These industries present vast opportunities for strengthening our bilateral ties and fostering innovation,” she said.

On her part, TSN Managing Director, Ms Asha Dachi, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to advancing the bilateral partnership through media initiatives.

“At TSN, we are dedicated to fostering this partnership. We are ready to promote and highlight activities that showcase the growing cooperation between our two nations,” Ms Dachi said.

She revealed plans to produce special supplements and features on the Republic of Korean culture and development projects, mirroring TSN’s successful collaborations with other nations such as China.

“These supplements will serve as an important platform for Tanzanians to learn more about Republic of Korea and its contributions to Tanzania’s development journey,” she added.

Ms Dachi also proposed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Korean Embassy to formalise and enhance their media collaboration.

“This agreement will allow us to create regular, tailored content that provides our readers with in-depth insights into Republic of Korea’s developments, culture and cooperative projects with Tanzania.

Whether weekly or monthly, this feature articles will ensure that Tanzanians are consistently updated on our shared progress,” she explained.

In June this year, during the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul, President Samia Suluhu Hassan emphasised that African nations could draw inspiration from Republic of Korea’s extraordinary economic transformation.

“It is remarkable how Republic of Korea transitioned from a predominantly agricultural economy to becoming one of the world’s largest economies in just seven decades,” President Samia remarked.

She further noted that partnerships forged between Africa and Republic of Korea must aim to address socioeconomic imbalances and promote inclusive growth across the continent.

President Samia welcomed Republic of Korea’s commitment to fostering shared prosperity through trade, investment and private sector engagement frameworks.

As the only female Head of State at the summit, President Samia also championed the clean cooking agenda for Africa, advocating for increased investment in sustainable solutions to address environmental and health challenges.

“Increased investment in clean cooking solutions will not only reduce emissions and deforestation but also lower respiratory-related deaths and economically empower women,” she said.

She emphasised that clean energy solutions represent not only an environmental priority but also an economic opportunity for Africa.

The strengthened relationship between Tanzania and the Republic of Korea, underpinned by effective media collaboration, is expected to foster deeper cultural ties, drive innovation and facilitate sustainable development in both nations.