In South Korea, Yoon's Desire for Supply Chains and Prestige Points to Africa

The inaugural Korea-Africa Summit indicates President Yoon Suk Yeol's grand vision for South Korea as a global power, but his plans will face security, economic and political constraints that have long plagued other developed nations active in Africa. South Korean President Yoon hosted the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul from June 4-5, attracting delegates from 48 African countries and enabling Yoon to meet with 25 African leaders in sideline meetings. At the summit, attendees signed various cooperation agreements, with a heavy emphasis on Seoul providing development assistance and deepening state-to-state ties in trade, infrastructure and critical minerals. In a joint statement released by Seoul on June 4, the countries agreed to launch the Korea-Africa Critical Minerals Dialogue, with Yoon emphasizing the need for minerals -- highlighting cobalt, chrome and manganese -- in electric vehicles, EV batteries and various other renewable energy technologies amid supply chain insecurity. Seoul signed over 50...