Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a country of significant geographical importance that connects the Middle East, East and Southwest Asia. Lying along the main routes of the ancient and medieval Silk Road, Afghanistan has served as a linchpin between eastern and western cultures. It was thanks to this geographical and cultural nexus that diverse cultures were able to flourish in this region. On the other hand, due to its strategic importance, Afghanistan has also been subject to numerous invasions from foreign powers throughout its history such as Persia, Greece, and Mongol Empire, and has also set the stage for struggle among great powers even until recently.

Since its independence from the British control in 1919, Afghanistan has undergone several political turbulences, including the invasion of the Soviet Union and establishment of the communist regime in the late 1970s, and the Taliban rule since 1996 as well. In the wake of the collapse of the Taliban regime in 2001, the current Afghan Government was established as a result of the first-ever direct election by the people of Afghanistan in 2004, followed by the peaceful transition of power in 2014.

Since the resumption of its diplomatic ties with Afghanistan in 2002, the Government of the Republic of Korea, in close collaboration with the international community, has been actively playing its due part in this calling of epic proportions through various means, including in-kind and financial contributions. In 2002, the Korean Government dispatched ‘Dongui’ and ‘Dasan’ Unit which provided construction, engineering, and medical services. It also ran a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Parwan Province from 2010 to 2014, carrying out a number of projects for local people in the area of infrastructure, capacity-building and humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, Korea has been making substantial contributions since 2011 to social and economic development, and to capacity-building of the security sector, in close partnership with international organizations and the Afghan Government.

However, the Afghan government collapsed with Taliban's occupation of Kabul 15, Aug, 2021. The international community continues its humanitarian assistance and international engagement to the Afghanistan, not to make the 20 years of achievements of support in vain. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Afghanistan has been operating its temporary office in Doha, Qatar; and our government is participating in the humanitarian support and engagement of the international community through the Doha office.

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