KAMPALA, UGANDA– A South Korean delegation has formally raised concerns over Uganda’s failure to establish an embassy in Seoul, highlighting a significant asymmetry in a diplomatic relationship that began 63 years ago.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The concerns were raised by Lee Jae Jung, Head of Delegation from the National Assembly Forum for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Republic of South Korea, during a meeting with Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa at Parliament on September 22, 2025.
Jung stated that while Korea has maintained a consistent diplomatic presence, Uganda’s absence has created practical obstacles and caused the East African nation to miss key opportunities.
“Although Korea has worked very hard to bridge relations between the two countries, Uganda hasn’t established its embassy in Korea yet. Because of this, people are facing many obstacles and there are delays in exchanges and cooperation,” Jung said.
He cited a recent presidential inauguration in Korea as an example, noting that while he greeted ambassadors from other African nations, the Ugandan ambassador was conspicuously absent.
Jung reminded the Deputy Speaker that despite Uganda being the first nation to establish diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1963, the current arrangement where Uganda’s Ambassador to Japan also covers South Korea is inefficient.
“We are missing opportunities to work with Uganda since there is no dedicated ambassador from Uganda to Korea. I would like to suggest that Uganda establishes an embassy in Korea and sends an ambassador,” Jung emphasized.
In response, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa acknowledged the concern and pledged action, attributing the delay to budgetary constraints but acknowledging the strategic importance given South Korea’s status as the world’s tenth-largest economy.
“I have listened to your concerns about the embassy. Korea is the 10th largest global economy, so I see every reason to tap into that opportunity. I will share this with the President and take it up seriously with the government to prioritize Korea for a new embassy,” Tayebwa said.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to strengthen bilateral ties, with the establishment of a Ugandan embassy in Seoul emerging as a critical step to facilitate deeper trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.
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