(Seychelles News Agency) - The newly accredited South Korean ambassador to Seychelles Kim Moon-hwan has identified tourism as one of the key focus of his mandate.

Kim was speaking to journalists at State House, in the Seychelles capital of Victoria, after he had presented his credentials to the archipelago’s President James Michel.

“... It is expected that over one thousand five hundred Korean tourists are coming to Seychelles this year. This is a big achievement given the far distance and then I think the trend will continue in the years to come. Seychelles is of course a small island country, but many Korean people are becoming more and more aware of the beauty and the treasure of this island. Not only for its seaside but also for its very diverse culture. So, that will be one of my priority,” he said.

The South Korean ambassador to Seychelles Kim Moon-hwan and the Seychelles President James Michel have discussed areas of cooperation that can be strengthened between the two countries. (Mervyn Marie, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

The South Korean diplomat noted that both he and the President agreed to strengthen the bilateral relations that exist between the two sides.

Other areas common interest discussed include fisheries, renewable energy, environment particularly climate change and science and technology.

According to a press statement issued by State House this afternoon Michel said Kim Moon-hwan’s accreditation “will serve as another platform to give new momentum to the already excellent relations between the two countries.”

Kim will be based in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.