The pact also include allowing a greater number of Africans -- as many as 5,000 – to undergo industrial training in South Korea, which also announced an increase in the number of its aid workers on the continent to 1,000 by 2012.

"We agree to strengthen our partnership in order to support Africa in eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development as well as to promote the prosperity of African countries and Korea," the official Yonhap News Agency quoted the Framework for Korea-Africa Development Cooperation document.

Accordingly, this document is an updated version of South Korea's African Initiative, announced in 2006, which initially sought to triple its Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the continent to US$100 million by 2008.

The South Korea-Africa Forum was launched in 2006 as part of the Asian nation’s efforts to increase ties with Africa. It is held every three years.

This year's meeting brought together more than 120 top African representations. Notable among these were the Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping and foreign ministers from 15 African countries.

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Un-chan told delegates at the forum that "South Korea wants to share its know-how for high-speed economic growth that has been accomplished over half a century."

The AU Commission Chair, Jean Ping, said at the forum "We appreciate Korea for doubling the Official Development Aid by 2012 and for taking into consideration African concerns and priorities like capacity enhancement through training, education, health, human resources, technology transfer, rural and agricultural development as well as other sectors."

"Korea succeeded in building a model economy in becoming a developed country. I'm sure that in the future we will collectively develop our cooperation with Korea," Senegalese President Abdoulie Wade said in a speech at the forum. He expressed admiration for what South Korea has achieved in especially the education field.

Wade pointed out the fact that Africa's population will soon top one billion and that with such a situation, poor level of education remains a huge problem for the continent.

"Senegal spends 40 percent of its budget in education and training," he told the gathering.

The participants also reaffirmed their commitment to take a collective approach on global challenges such as the issue of climate change and energy security, in what is dubbed the ‘Seoul Declaration.’

Higher Africa cooperation

South Korea which depends heavily on imports most of its raw materials and resources from abroad for its heavy-industry, joined the ranks of China and the US, heightening its cooperation with Africa, increasing aid to the continent to US$107.1 million in 2008, from $42.4 million in 2005.

Earlier last Monday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak promised ‘‘to more than double Seoul's Official Development Aid (ODA) to Africa over the next three years,’’ according to a report on the Korean Yonhapnews Agency.

The South Korean president was speaking during talks with visiting Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, who arrived in Seoul Sunday, on a four-day visit ahead of the second Korea-Africa Forum. President Lee also pledged to specifically boost economic ties with Senegal.

The South Korean president then announced a trip to Africa next year ‘‘to seek improved relations between his country and African states,’’ his spokeswoman, Kim Eun-hye, was quoted saying.

South Korea’s present development assistance to Africa, which stands at US$100 million, accounts for over 18 percent of the Asian nation’s Official Development Aid.

"This can be seen as part of efforts to transform from a poor nation that rose from the ashes of a war and depended on assistance and support from various countries of the world to a responsible member of the global community that will share its own development experience with countries that are now facing difficulties that (our) country once faced," Kim Eun-hye said.

South Korea, which is set to takeover as head of the influential G20 economic summit of 2010, is presently being considered for membership of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of donors, according to the Yonhap News Agency.

This, experts say, will mean a great deal for African nations with increasing ties with the Asian country, whose leader has promised to work to promote Africa's interests.

Senegalese president, Abdoulie Wade, prior to Tuesday summit, expressed hope for improved relationship between his country and South Korea, noting that Senegal can provide a gateway to South Korean companies seeking new business opportunities in West Africa.

The Senegalese leader also commended the South Koreans for their efforts to improve overall relations with African nations.

"President Wade expressed gratitude for our government's ODA and asked President Lee to continue expanding the development aid," presidential office spokesperson in South Korea, Cheong Wa Dae, said.

And he added that "Wade also expressed hope for a chance to learn Korea's development experience while asking for our government's support to help increase the investment by South Korean companies to his country."

Bilateral trade between Senegal and South Korea more than doubled to nearly US$50 million last year from 2005.