During his four-day visit, Ambassador Hong met with Minya Governor Osama El-Qadi, Assiut Governor Essam Saad and Sohag Governor Tarek Mohamed Alfeky to discuss cooperation.

Ambassador Hong shared with the regional leaders the developments in bilateral relations between Korea and Egypt at the national level under the framework of “Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership agreement”, which the two countries agreed to during President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to Korea in 2016.

Ambassador Hong said that "it is the right time to expand the cooperation to the regional level amid the excellent relations we witness from President Moon’s visit to Egypt in January this year, and several following projects such as the co-manufacturing of K9 self-propelled howitzers and Cairo Metro rolling stocks in Egypt, Korea’s participation in El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project and the joint airshow of Korean and Egyptian air forces over the Giza Pyramids."

Ambassador Hong suggested expanding the scope of cooperation between Korea and Minya, Assiut and Sohag governorates to the field of cultural heritage.

He pointed out that a memorandum of understanding on the issue had already been signed earlier this year between the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea and the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, covering cooperation in the restoration and development of antiquities as well as encouraging public and academic exchange.

He expected that cooperation in the field of cultural heritage would allow the governorates to take advantage of Korea’s advanced technology to restore and preserve the diverse cultural heritage in the Upper Egypt.

He noted that the Korean government’s choice of Egypt as a priority partner for official development assistance for 2021-2025 is an opportunity to increase cooperation in Upper Egypt. He emphasised his country’s willingness to support the country’s Vision 2030 and Decent Life initiatives, which aims to develop rural areas nationwide.

During his tour, the ambassador visited project sites where the Korean government has been cooperating with the governorates to promote education and gender equality.

In the Assiut University where the Korean government has implemented a project to strengthen research and technology education, the ambassador said he expects the project to contribute to capacity building and increase youth employment in the region.

Ambassador Hong watched an edutainment youth performance at a newly opened Population Awareness Clubs in Sohag, which is a part of the UNFPA Project for Preventing and Combatting Gender-Based Violence and is funded by Korea. He stressed Korean government is keen to cooperate with many stakeholders in achieving gender equality.

He also held press salons in three cities, which served as an opportunity for the Korean diplomat and regional journalists to enhance mutual understanding