Politics · South Korea · 2 hrs ago
Korea-Africa Foundation chief says expertise must survive proposed merger
Kim Young-chae says Africa expertise must be preserved if the Korea-Africa Foundation merges with the Korea Foundation in South Korea.
The two foundations are under the foreign ministry, and a three-party task force involving the ministry and both organizations held its first meeting last week.
The merger is part of the government’s public-sector efficiency policy, but Kim warned that removing the foundation as a separate organization could weaken specialist work on Africa.
One option being discussed is to keep an Africa-focused center or headquarters in Seoul, with a dedicated senior official leading the work.
The task force has not agreed on a timeline or detailed plans, and the merger requires legislation.
Parliamentary review is expected in the first half of next year, with completion later in the year considered possible.
Staff job security and the future structure remain key issues as the plans are developed.
Korea-Africa Foundation chief Kim Young-chae said the foundation’s expertise and distinct identity must be preserved if it merges with the Korea Foundation.
Kim said a dedicated, effective structure for Africa-related work must remain, even if the two organizations are combined.
A three-party task force involving the Foreign Ministry, the Korea Foundation and the Korea-Africa Foundation held its first meeting last week.
No detailed timeline or terms have been agreed, Kim said.
The merger would require parliamentary action, and lawmakers may consider it in the first half of next year, according to Yonhap’s report.
- Who
- Korea-Africa Foundation chief Kim Young-chae.
- What
- Kim says the foundation’s Africa expertise and identity must be preserved if it merges with the Korea Foundation.
- When
- Kim made the comments on Oct. 14; Yonhap published the report on Oct. 15, 2026.
- Where
- At the Africa Week opening ceremony in Chuncheon, South Korea.
- Why
- Kim said Africa-related work is growing in importance and could lose expertise if the foundation’s organization disappears.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Foreign Ministry, the Korea Foundation and the Korea-Africa Foundation held their first three-party task force meeting.
Kim made his comments during the opening ceremony of Africa Week in Chuncheon.
Yonhap published its report on Kim’s position.
- Foundation chief
- Kim Young-chae
- Proposed merger partner
- Korea Foundation (KF)
- First task force meeting
- Last week
- Interview location
- Chuncheon, South Korea
- Publication date
- Oct. 15, 2026
1 source
What people are saying
The unique expert functions and organizational identity devoted to Africa diplomacy must be maintained.
Even if a merger takes place, an effective structure capable of performing specialized functions as it does now must be guaranteed.
Specific timelines or details have not yet been agreed.