Ghana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Kojo Choi, has received a resounding welcome in his hometown of Chuncheon, where he held bilateral discussions with city authorities to explore opportunities for cooperation between Ghana and South Korea.
The visit, which followed an invitation from the city’s mayor, marked a symbolic return for Ambassador Choi, who was born in Chuncheon but spent much of his upbringing and personal development in Ghana. His return as Ghana’s top diplomatic representative to South Korea underscored a unique personal and diplomatic journey linking both nations.
During the visit, Ambassador Choi engaged in high-level discussions with the leadership of Chuncheon City, focusing on strengthening cultural, artistic, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The talks also explored the possibility of establishing a sister-city relationship between Chuncheon and a Ghanaian city, as part of broader efforts to deepen sub-national diplomacy and economic cooperation.
Chuncheon, known for its cultural vibrancy, scenic landscapes, and growing innovation ecosystem, was highlighted as a strategic partner in promoting exchanges in tourism, creative arts, education, and youth engagement. Both sides discussed practical pathways to encourage institutional collaboration and create opportunities for businesses and cultural actors in Ghana and South Korea.
As part of his visit, Ambassador Choi also interacted with students in Chuncheon, where he shared his personal journey of resilience, identity, and cross-cultural experience. He spoke about his upbringing in Ghana, the values he gained, and the role those experiences played in shaping his diplomatic path, encouraging young people to pursue global opportunities while remaining grounded in their roots.
The visit coincided with a military parade in Chuncheon, which the Ambassador described as a striking and symbolic moment. Armored vehicles and tanks were seen decorated in red, gold, and green — the colours of Ghana’s national flag, a gesture that underscored the growing goodwill and potential for deeper cooperation between the two countries.
“It felt like a powerful and symbolic moment, as if a deeper connection was being revealed. It led me to think about the potential for deeper cooperation between Korea and Ghana in the area of defence and modernisation of our military” he stated.
The symbolic display also sparked discussions on possible collaboration in defence cooperation and military modernisation, with Ambassador Choi noting the importance of exploring strategic partnerships that could strengthen Ghana’s security architecture while fostering mutual trust between Accra and Seoul.
Ambassador Choi expressed gratitude to the people of Chuncheon, whom he described as family, acknowledging their role in shaping his early life. He also thanked the city’s leadership for the warm reception and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening diplomatic and cultural ties between Ghana and South Korea.
He also extended special appreciation to Kim Young‑Chae, President of the Korea‑Africa Foundation, for facilitating and supporting the visit. Ambassador Choi emphasized that his mission remains focused on building lasting bridges between Ghana and South Korea across culture, business, education, and opportunities for the next generation.
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