Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba, met today with the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Yemen, Do Bong-kae, to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation and ways to strengthen the Republic of Korea’s development and humanitarian support for Yemen.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Zouba reviewed the situation in Yemen’s liberated areas and the government’s efforts to improve public services while advancing economic and administrative reforms. She also highlighted the worsening humanitarian conditions in areas under the control of the Houthi terrorist militia, attributing the deterioration to practices and measures targeting humanitarian organizations and relief operations.

The Minister reviewed the Republic of Korea’s support to Yemen in the areas of water, food security, technical education, vocational training, and capacity building, expressing the Yemeni government’s appreciation for Korea’s continued assistance across a number of vital sectors.

Dr. Al-Zouba emphasized the importance of expanding training and skills development programmes through comprehensive initiatives targeting technical institutes, students, and trainers, with the aim of strengthening institutional capacity and increasing their long-term impact. She also stressed the need to scale up support for government institutions and international organizations operating in Yemen while enhancing coordination and complementarity among international development partners.

The Minister further highlighted the challenges facing Yemen as a result of regional developments and their impact on the country’s humanitarian and development situation. She expressed the government’s aspiration to deepen its partnership with the Republic of Korea, particularly in the areas of technical assistance and institutional support for government ministries, as well as the fisheries, roads, and education sectors.

For his part, Ambassador Do Bong-kae reaffirmed the Republic of Korea’s commitment to continuing its support for Yemen and to contributing to efforts aimed at promoting security, stability, and economic recovery. He noted that the Republic of Korea provides approximately US$20 million in annual assistance to Yemen, implemented through a number of international organizations, in addition to direct support for technical education institutions in Aden and Mukalla.