Korean diplomacy in Africa: Three phases of Korea–Africa relations
Most people will have heard of Vasco da Gama’s voyage to Africa in the late 1400s, an iconic moment in Europe–Africa relations. People with an interest in China–Africa relations may even know of Zheng He’s travels to Africa in the early 1400s. However, not many people are aware that the oldestworld map depicting the complete configuration of the African continent emanates from the Korean peninsula. The Kangnido map (short for Honil gangni yeokdae gukdo jido) was drawn up in 1402 during the Joseon Dynasty and even predates Zheng He’s trip to Africa. What is even more interesting
is that the map was not meant to be used for a cross-continental voyage. It was rather a symbolic gesture to legitimise the new kingdom of Korea by showcasing its cultural and scientific prowess and placing Korea on the world map (Oh 2016).
Suweon Kim and Tycho van der Hoog describe the lesser-known yet significant relations between the Korean peninsula and the African continent, with special attention given to the inter-Korean rivalry for diplomatic recognition that existed during the second half of the 20th century.
This chapter was published in Africa’s Strategic Partnerships with BRICS and Other Emerging Countries.
About the author(s) / editor(s)
Tycho van der Hoog is a former PhD candidate at the African Studies Centre Leiden. He successfully defended his dissertation (under embargo until 7 May 2026) on 7 May 2024.
His dissertation, titled ‘North Korea and the Liberation of Southern Africa, 1960-2020’ seeks to reveal the ties that bind North Korea to the African continent. His monograph Monuments of Power: The North Korean Origin of Nationalist Monuments in Namibia and Zimbabwe was published by the African Studies Centre Leiden in 2019. His monograph Breweries, Politics and Identity: The History Behind Namibian Beer was published by Basler Afrika Bibliographien in 2019.
He is the recipient of the BISA African Affairs Postgraduate Paper Prize 2021.
Posted on 26 August 2025, last modified on 26 August 2025