By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Hamyang County in Gyeongsangnam-do province hosted an international exchange event with Ethiopian Ambassador to South Korea Dessie Dalkie Dukamo and his entourage on July 8, 2025.

This visit was arranged in anticipation of the upcoming overseas experience trip to Ethiopia by Geumban Elementary School students in November.

The ambassador and his delegation attended the “Glocal Connection Day” event at Geumban Elementary School, participating in lectures, traditional coffee ceremonies, and a commemorative tree-planting ceremony.

The ambassador's lecture, themed “The Past and Present of Korea and Ethiopia, and the Future of Our Children,” received a warm response from the students.

Hamyang County Mayor Jin Byeong-yeong welcomed the ambassador and his entourage in his office for a friendly conversation, and they visited a mountain ginseng farm together to strengthen their friendship.

The ambassador was deeply impressed by the global education efforts of the local rural school, and Mayor Jin introduced Hamyang's scholar culture and mountain ginseng.

In particular, the mountain ginseng farm offered a chance to pick and taste the ginseng, which was also expected to promote local specialties.

Geumban Elementary School's “Eight-Month Journey to Ethiopia” project is a long-term global experience program planned by a small school with 24 students.