Korea set to open new embassy in Madagascar

Korea is expected to open a new embassy in Madagascar, the fourth-largest island nation in the world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.

A ministry official confirmed that it has received approval from Madagascar’s government to launch the new Korean embassy in late fall.

An acting ambassador is expected to finalize the process in October or November.

Afterwards, it will dispatch a new Korean ambassador to the country, an island nation off the coast of Southeast Africa that boasts abundant natural resources, including metals and gem stones.

This will mark Korea’s 114th embassy abroad.

Korea last launched a new embassy in 2012 in Mozambique.

In January, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se announced at the opening ceremony of the Korea-Africa Future Strategy Center that Seoul planned to open an embassy in Madagascar by the end of the year.

The Korean ambassador to South Africa currently oversees Madagascar affairs.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]